New Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy has been suspended 10 games by the National Football League for conduct detrimental to the NFL.
The league’s announcement shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to those who have been privy to Hardy’s case.
He was originally convicted on domestic violence charges in North Carolina before appealing the conviction and requesting a new trial. Once Hardy was set for a new trial, the complainant failed to show up after the two sides reached an unspecified financial agreement.
Prior to suspending Hardy under the new policy, the league had requested court information from the powers in North Carolina—a request that was just recently granted.
[mks_pullquote align=”right” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#000000″ txt_color=”#ffffff”]”Hardy engaged in conduct that violated NFL policies in multiple respects and with aggravating circumstances,” the league’s release read after suspending Hardy.[/mks_pullquote]
Upon seeing the details of the case, which aren’t for the faint of heart, the NFL decided to throw this 10-game suspension Hardy’s way.
Despite this looming suspension, Dallas signed Hardy to an incentive-laden one-year deal back in March. The contract called for a base salary of $750,000 with $578,000 in bonuses for each game the defensive end played.
Hardy was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List for all but one game last season while he was a member of the Carolina Panthers. Per the collective bargaining agreement, he collected his entire $13.1 million contract plus playoff bonuses.
Based on the new domestic violence policy, Hardy also faces a lifetime banishment should he be involved in another incident.
Here’s more information on the suspension directly from the NFL.
Greg Hardy of the Dallas Cowboys was notified today that he is suspended without pay for the team’s first 10 games of the 2015 regular season for conduct detrimental to the league in violation of the NFL Constitution and By-Laws, the NFL Player Contract, and the NFL Personal Conduct Policy.
In a letter from Commissioner Roger Goodell, Hardy was informed that an extensive two-month NFL investigation following the dismissal of his case in North Carolina state court determined that there was sufficient credible evidence that Hardy engaged in conduct that violated NFL policies in multiple respects and with aggravating circumstances.
This is no laughing matter. Hardy must remain clean off the field if he plans on actually continuing what was at one point a promising career.
NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that Hardy will appeal the suspension.
Photo: USA Today Sports