Courtesy: Deadspin
The Dallas Cowboys made a major mistake by agreeing to a deal with controversial former Carolina Panther defensive end, Greg Hardy. The deal has proven the values of the organization and where they stand in the court human decency. Jerry Jones and the rest of the franchise are selling their soul for a low class criminal, while displaying their lack of personal standards for their employees. Though he may be due for a suspension by the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys seem to have little issue with that.
Courtesy: @dallascowboys on Twitter
Greg Hardy was not only arrested but convicted of mercilessly beating his then girlfriend, Nicole Holder. In her statement in court she stated he was strangling her to death and one point “she accepted it.” Though he was exonerated during his appeal, it was only because Holder “disappeared” (or more likely paid off by the defense) when called to testify again. This is the type of guy the Dallas Cowboys promote on their Twitter account for the world to see (as seen to the right).”
The Greg Hardy deal is coming on the heels of reports that star wide receiver Dez Bryant has his own domestic violence tape floating around. Yet the team (and many pundits) believe the move was worth the risk. That Greg Hardy the football player is much more valuable to their on-field success, than Greg Hardy the criminal will hurt their image among the fans.
But what happens if that tape does leak with Dez Bryant beating a woman in a Wal Mart parking lot? What if it is ten times worse than the Ray Rice video, as those involved claim? Could the Dallas Cowboys really justify releasing Dez Bryant (like the Baltimore Ravens eventually did with Ray Rice) after signing a convicted domestic abuser this off season?
Let alone looking at the contract, as Greg Hardy is set to make $11.3 million, with the possibility of even more if he reaches his incentives. This is the same team that was so cap strapped, they were not willing to hand out over $5 million to running back DeMarco Murray. He only led the entire league in rushing yards by a significant amount in 2014. A player that carried the team to the playoffs and has been a model citizen off the field.
Dallas local sports anchor for WFAA8, Dale Hansen, put it into perspective when stating, “Just when I begin to think the Cowboys can’t possibly sink any lower, they can’t fall from grace any more than they have, they find a shovel and dig a few feet deeper. Is there no line you won’t cross?” Is there no crime you won’t accept? Is there no behavior you will not tolerate?”
The Dallas Cowboys have a history of supporting players with checkered pasts such as Michael Irvin, Nate Newton and Leon Lett, among others. But none of them compare to the heinous acts committed by the new star defensive lineman for Jerry Jones. Distributing drugs and soliciting hookers are one thing, attempting to murder another human being is a new all-time low for a franchise that borders on the line of respectability. But hey, the Dallas Cowboys really need to improve their pass rush and Greg Hardy is really good off the edge.
