Domestic Violence Victim Advocate Says Hardy Deal Should Include Counseling
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – Jerry Jones is expressing confidence his controversial new player Greg Hardy belongs on the team.
In a statement, Jones said, "Obviously a great deal of our study was dedicated to the issue of domestic violence, and the recent events that associated Greg…our organization understands the very serious nature of domestic violence…We know that Greg has a firm understanding of those issues as well."
But some people aren't satisfied, and feel the Cowboys should have added one condition to his one-year contract worth up to $13 million.
Suzanne Grishman, who runs Hope's Door, a Collin County shelter for abused women, says she is OK with the Cowboys decision to bring Hardy to the team, if they make mandatory counseling part of the deal.
"We know his behavior can be changed through treatment. We do not want to deny people their employment," said Grishman.
Cowboys fans who heard the news about Hardy seems split over whether he's should be given a second chance.
"I don't think he's been given a fair amount of time to explain what's happened," said Richardson resident Michael Finley. "The Cowboys are excellent at managing players who have had a history like that."
Dallas resident Harold Stemper said, "If you wrap your hands around a woman's throat, you probably shouldn't make millions of dollars tackling somebody. That should probably disqualify you right there."
Hardy was convicted of domestic abuse by a judge last year, by a girlfriend who said he "…pulling me from the tub by my hair, screaming at me that he was going to kill me…" and that he "…threw me onto a couch covered in assault rifles and/or shotguns."
Hardy appealed the conviction and requested a jury trial, which is allowed in North Carolina. The conviction was dismissed and overturned when his accuser did not show up to testify at the appeal hearing.
The NFL has yet to weigh in on the case, but it's believed Hardy will be suspended for six games next season. He sat out the 2014-2015 season on the Commissioner's Exempt list, which prevented him from playing. However, he did collect his full salary for the season as a member of the Carolina Panthers football team.
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