Jerry Jones statement on Greg Hardy not a shocker

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones issues a statement following the release of photos of Greg Hardy’s accuser, says the team is giving Hardy a second chance

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy has been a lightning rod for controversy ever since his arrest for domestic violence in 2014. Hardy faced some sickening accusations, including throwing his then-girlfriend, Nicole Holder, onto a futon full of assault weapons.

Holder also alleged that Hardy threw her against a wall and choked her until she had begged to die. The charges were heard in front of a judge who found Hardy guilty, but then they were dropped after Hardy appealed wanting a jury trial.

The reason the charges were dropped were simple, Holder quit cooperating with the authorities. The accuser went missing and was not found to testify against Hardy. The rumors circulated that the pass rusher paid off his former girlfriend so she wouldn’t appear in court any further.

Hardy missed 15 games in 2014, while still a member of the Carolina Panthers, due to the incident as he was put on the absolutely ridiculous (and what should be banned) commissioner’s exempt list, which is NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s way of punishing players without having to suspend them yet. He then was suspended 10 games in 2015 before successfully appealing that down to just four games.

Since then Hardy has made dumb comments about coming out “guns blazing” and has been involved in practice fights with teammates and even slapped a playbook out of a coach’s hands.

Through all of the issues, the Cowboys owner Jerry Jones remains a supporter of Hardy moving forward. So it is no shock that Jones’ stance didn’t change after photos were released of Nicole Holder following the attack by Hardy.

As is typical in this social media world, people were outraged and some even questioned if the Cowboys should continue to employ Hardy following the photos. Much like the issue a couple of years ago with former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, people became more angry after visual evidence was presented.

However, with the Rice issue as well as the Hardy one, what really changed? The accusations against Hardy were atrocious. The video of Rice dragging an unconscious woman from an elevator was horrible. So why should there be more outrage when further images are produced? We all knew what happened in the elevator with Rice and we all knew what Hardy was accused of. As bad as the photos are, there is no reason for further anger against Hardy, who this week had his record expunged, just as there shouldn’t have been more anger for Rice after seeing what we all knew he had done.

Jones stated that Hardy is being given a second chance, and as much as it sickens people, he is right. There will always be protesters regardless of what penalty is paid and how much time has passed, ask Mike Vick who saw protestors as he was signed to be a backup in Pittsburgh this season, nine years after he was arrested for dog fighting.

The crimes are awful, and in no way should they be excused. However, America is a country where second chances can be given. Vick made the most of his, but Rice was never afforded that opportunity. Hardy is now on his second chance and while he may not be a good guy, the fact is he has no criminal record and did pay a penalty for what he did.

Jones considers Hardy a leader on the field, and while some hated that remark, the fact is he wasn’t signed to be a life coach. He was signed to sack quarterbacks. You may not like that Jerry Jones supports Hardy, but you shouldn’t be shocked.