Greg Hardy caused a stir for an altercation with special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, but the Dallas Cowboys defensive end isn’t lacking support from the franchise.
According to Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News, linebacker Sean Lee called Hardy’s sideline fit “all positive.”
Sean Lee said Greg Hardy's sideline outburst was not a distraction. Lee said it "was all positive" and "something we all feed off of."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 26, 2015
Hardy, who was upset with Bisaccia after the Cowboys special teams allowed New York Giants kick returner Dwayne Harris to score a 100-yarder, also unsurprisingly has the backing of owner Jerry Jones.
Jerry Jones on Hardy's sideline actions: "He's one of the real leaders on this team & he earns it. That's the kind of thing that inspires."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 26, 2015
But outside of the Cowboys bubble, this just doesn’t make any sense.
Consequent to past actions that include a court finding him guilty of assault on a female and communicating threats, Hardy has no claim to benefit of the doubt.
Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant has taken heat for sideline outbursts, but audio later released revealed the emotional wideout was screaming encouraging words to his teammates.
This doesn’t look encouraging, and it sure as heck doesn’t look like something a leader would do.
Nor does this.
"No comment, next question."
Greg Hardy was NOT in the mood to talk to the media after the 'Boys loss.https://t.co/iXMfKlOqA4
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 26, 2015
Leaders don’t need to be restrained from coaches, and leaders face the heat, no matter how difficult the aftermath.
However, unless Hardy gets suspended for something in the future, we’ll continue seeing the fiery defensive end on the field. As long as Hardy keeps producing, Jones—and Lee, the defensive captain—will regularly stick up for the talented 27-year-old who has three sacks in two games.
Even if we don’t like it, that’s the simple truth.