Panthers’ Greg Hardy will play despite domestic violence case

Aug 8, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) sits on the sidelines during the first half of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) sits on the sidelines during the first half of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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We’re in the midst of one of the NFL’s biggest scandals in the last decade. Ray Rice’s domestic abuse is reverberating through the NFL. And a player who was found guilty by a judge for assaulting his wife will be hiding in plain sight. He’ll be on your television this Sunday starting for the Panthers at defensive end. Greg Hardy will receive no punishment until his scheduled jury trial, via Pro Football Talk.

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So even though a judge has ruled him guilty, the Panthers will wait for a jury so they can be doubly certain. In the meantime, they’ll let him play punishment free.

Via Michael David Smith of Pro Football talk writes:

"The Hardy controversy, however, is not going away. ESPN today devoted a large portion of the afternoon SportsCenter to a lengthy piece on Hardy that featured chilling 911 calls from a woman who begged the police to come quickly as she described Hardy beating up his then-girlfriend. In the wake of the Rice case, many of us will find it disturbing to watch Hardy on the field on Sunday."

This is just like the NFL claiming they didn’t know what happened in the elevator until they saw the tape. The Panthers have effective stuck their fingers in their ears and begun yelling at the top of their lungs. They don’t want to hear the truth, even if it’s right in front of them. And they’ll keep their fingers in their ears and they voice loud until the very last moment. Why? Because Greg Hardy can help them win games.

Yet again, the NFL shows it’s exemplary moral compass — not.