Dallas Cowboy defensive end Greg Hardy won a reduced suspension from 10-games to four games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Hardy had appealed the 10-game suspension due to the fact that in Hardy’s opinion, the assault and threat to his ex-girlfriend were later dropped because she refused to cooperate with authorities.
Greg Hardy’s Suspension Reduced
The appeal hearing lasted more than seven hours on May 28th and was supervised by an arbitrator who decided that the original suspension was too extensive. Arbitrator Harold Henderson stated, “…ten games is simply too much, in my view, of an increase over prior cases without notice such as was done last year, when the ‘baseline’ for discipline in domestic violence or sexual assault cases was announced as a six-game suspension.”
According to media insider Ian Rapoport, the NFLPA and Hardy’s camp will consider the options of possibly fighting the reduction of discipline in federal court.
.@RosenhausSports: “I will confer with Greg, the NFLPA and his lawyers to discuss our next move. Still considering further legal action.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 10, 2015
Hardy missed all but one game with the Carolina Panthers last season after being placed on the Exempt/Commissioner’s Permission List. The league found sufficient and credible evidence at the time that Hardy acted in conduct that violated NFL policies.
Prior to the suspension handed down by the NFL, Hardy signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys, which was worth up to $13.116 million. His contract includes a minimum base salary, incentives and roster bonuses for each game. With Greg Hardy’s suspension reduced, he continues to be paid with no restrictions to his salary.
This is good news for the Cowboys as his return will be in week 5 against the New England Patriots. Early last week, the Cowboys lost linebacker Rolando McClain for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. However, it looks like both Hardy and McClain will be back to create havoc for division rivals and make a run for a playoff contention.
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