Is Hardy Another Reason for Fans to Dislike the Dallas Cowboys?

Hardy, who has played his whole career for the Carolina Panthers, is recognized as one of the best young pass-rushing defensive ends in the game today. Unfortunately, he also was convicted last year on charges related to domestic violence and, after Baltimore Ravens running back Ron Rice and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, became the NFL poster child for violent domestic behavior. Here are the facts of his situation as we understand them:

• According to his girlfriend, on the night in question Hardy allegedly threw her into a bathtub, threw her onto a couch covered with guns, choked her, and threatened to kill her.
• He was found guilty of the charges at a bench trial, but appealed and requested a jury trial.
• The NFL suspended him after the first game last season, but he continued to collect his entire salary.
• Hardy apparently reached an out of court settlement with the girlfriend and the girlfriend did not show up at the jury trial. Consequently, the prosecutor and judge agreed to drop the charges against him.

(Hardy image from abcnews.com)

So what should an NFL team looking for defensive help this off-season have done with respect to Greg Hardy? Most teams steered clear of him. Maybe it was because they have higher moral standards; maybe they wouldn't take the chance that he would repeat this behavior and he would become unavailable to play; maybe they didn't want to sign a player who still is facing unspecified disciplinary action by the league.

The question people are debating is whether someone with Hardy's background should be paid millions of dollars and, as an NFL star, be the type of role model the league wants to be known for.

On the one hand, the charges against Hardy were dismissed and some argue there are questions as to the character of the girlfriend involved, who reportedly admitted she was high on cocaine the night of the incidents. Assuming her charges were true, however, perhaps Hardy has learned from that night and from the reaction of people afterwards and he will never repeat this behavior. And after all, shouldn't we be willing to give most people a second chance?

On the other hand, second chances usually are reserved for those who appear to be sorry for what they have done, have paid some reasonable price, and have gone through a treatment program if relevant. In the case of Greg Hardy, we aren't aware that any of this has taken place.

Hardy has been silent since the charges were filed, so we don't know if he feels his alleged behavior was wrong or if he feels his actions are acceptable in a relationship. We also aren't aware that he has gone through a treatment program that may have addressed possible reasons for his having exhibited the behavior his former girlfriend claims.

We would love to know what Hardy may have said to the Cowboys' front office that allowed them to take a chance and sign him (although reports indicate that his salary is greatly dependent on the number of games he plays in, so there isn't much financial risk to the team). Perhaps Hardy is contrite and even will participate in the NFL's anti-domestic violence public service campaign, although if that were the case, we're sure his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, would have been trumpeting that from the rooftops. Rosenhaus' silence is deafening in this case.

So, while for many fans it is a tough call to make, until we hear more from Hardy, we're not yet ready to welcome him back to the NFL, where being a role model does come with the territory. And for those fans who disliked the Cowboys already, the Hardy signing just adds more fuel to their fire.