Dear Commissioner Goodell,
Over the past year or so, the hidden, dark, underbelly of the NFL has been brought to light, and it’s become an issue even the most passionate fans can no longer ignore. During the past year every arrest has been viewed under a microscope by society and the players can thank former Ravens’ running back Ray Rice for that. While the world honed in on him for his actions, they let Greg Hardy get away unscathed from the media’s wrath. If the NFL wants to make a lasting change to turn its appearance around, the first step is to ban Hardy forever from the league, not because he committed a crime, like 807 NFL players have since January 2000 (as of Nov. 11), but because his lack of remorse and consistent abhorrent comments should not be rewarded with the fame and money that comes with playing in the NFL.
On the night in question, May 13, 2014, after a night of drinking and drugs, Greg Hardy and his girlfriend got into a fight. From there, both parties came up with their own versions of the events for the rest of the night. According to Hardy’s girlfriend Nicole Holder, Hardy became furious and threatened her life, going so far as to grab her throat and begin strangling her. He then picked her up and threw her across the bathroom tile. The night ended, she says, with the 6’4”, 274 lbs., Hardy picking her up off the floor by her neck and throwing her onto a couch that was cluttered with loaded guns.
A judge dismissed the case against Hardy after Holder did not show up, the allegedly result of a financial settlement reached between the two sides.
The NFL suspended Hardy for ten games to begin the season as if that were a suitable punishment. Then, to make matters better, when he appealed the suspension, it was reduced to four games. Four games! Are you kidding me? People get suspended that long for testing positive for marijuana. So, marijuana usage and beating your girlfriend deserve the same punishment?
Deadspin recently released police photographs of Nicole Holder from that night. The images showed everything from automatic weapons, to bruises on Holder’s face, back and chin. They showed a broken, terrified woman. Hardy terrorized this woman. She thought she was going to die and accepted that in the moment – now though, he has not faced any consequences whatsoever. How is that fair?
Not only were these photos released, it came out that the NFL had seen these pictures months ago! According to the report that was recently uncovered, it also stated that Hardy showed no remorse. So there’s documentation of it, and he’s still playing? Are you serious?
Other players and analysts have spoken out against Hardy’s ability to play. The Cowboys’ division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, played a hard fought game last week. In a postgame interview Eagles’ center Jason Kelce said, “it’s a joke a guy like that is able to play.” Stephen A. Smith called for the Cowboys to cut him immediately. Another football analyst, and four time Super Bowl winning quarterback, Terry Bradshaw also gave a plea to society as to why Hardy we don't hold players to a higher standard.
The NFL needs to do something even if their hands are tied because they already suspended him and any further action would result in litigation. Hardy has made a mockery out of the league and it will only get worse when he returns to the field this weekend. The suspension, which is technically a punishment for getting into legal trouble, clearly had zero impact on him. The NFL needs to kick Hardy out of the league. The NFL needs to take a stand. There has been overwhelming pressure and negative publicity facing the NFL and this is how they need to respond – clean up the game. Players are employees and not only are management their boss, but the fans are too, and it’s time we demand they hold their employees to a higher standard.
NFL players need to be held to a higher standard than the rest of society. For better or worse, players are role models for children everywhere. Sadly though, they have failed to live up to the high bar we set for them. Society cannot rely on the legal system to provide legitimate consequences to players’ off the field decisions. This is something the league has to do on its own.
Greg Hardy’s off the field actions last year were nothing short of repugnant and horrendous. The legal system failed in this case, as did the NFL. Hardy’s complete disregard for the severity of his actions is appalling and indicative of a larger overall problem throughout the NFL and it needs to end now, Hardy’s lifetime ban is the place to start.
Also Roger, one question, if your daughters asked about why he was allowed to play after beating and nearly killing his girlfriend, what would you say?
Sincerely,
A pissed off fan
P.S. Jerry Jones should be punished for signing such a menace.
