Greg Hardy: Scum Of The Earth

As if Dallas Cowboys DE Greg Hardy's domestic violence incident prior to his signing with the team wasn't enough to tell you about his character, perhaps his actions over the last five weeks can.

Today, according to Bleacher Report, news broke that Hardy had the domestic violence charges expunged from his record.  This decision comes after a number of incidents involving Hardy's personality on and off the field.

In their week 7, 27-20 loss to the New York Giants, Hardy lost his temper again. After Giants kick returner, and former Cowboy, Dwayne Harris returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to break the brief tie, Hardy was seen shouting expletives on the sideline. He then got into it with special teams coach Rich Bisaccia.  Hardy slapped the clipboard out of his hands before receiving a shove from Bisaccia and being restrained by teammates. That's when notable hot-head, Dez Bryant, got into it with Hardy. Those two got in each other's face and had a shouting match until teammates broke them apart and Hardy walked away.

Then the media had to deal with Hardy in a classless press conference after the game.  Before questions could be fully asked to Hardy, he would respond with "no comment".

All of this came on the same day that the NFL debuted their new anti-violence commercials featuring a number of players. After all of his antics Sunday afternoon, it seems safe to say that the Cowboys have a Greg Hardy problem. But owner Jerry Jones thinks otherwise.

Jones and coaches essentially laughed off and made excuses for a "man" that clearly needs to show that his emotions are under control.  It's understandable if this is almost any other player who happens to lose his competitive temper on the sideline, but because it's Hardy who has a history of personality problems, there is a bigger issue on the table.

After the game Jones was asked about Hardy's actions, saying, "...as a matter of fact I would encourage it. He's of course one of the real leaders on this team and he earns it. He earns it with the respect from all of his teammates. That's the kind of thing that inspires." Anyone else's "B.S. detector" going off yet? Mine sure is.

Head Coach Jason Garrett also backed up the troubled defensive end. "You want the guys with passion," Garrett said. But at what point do they realize that a line has been crossed?

The Cowboys organization is basically saying that it is acceptable to behave like this as long as you can get to the quarterback and bring him to the turf. "It wasn't the time and place," Garrett later said.

I'm not quite sure what kind of Kool-Aid the Cowboys organization is drinking, but whatever it is, it's strong, and spewing into its fan base as well. After the game, Twitter became a discussion board for NFL fans to give their take. To no surprise, Cowboys fans were mostly on the side of Hardy, citing his "passion" and "emotion" getting the better of him during the game. Yeah, okay.

Two weeks prior, the Cowboys hosted the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. Before he even stepped foot back onto a football field following his 4-game suspension stemming from his domestic abuse, Hardy was already making the news for his insensitive comments toward Tom Brady's wife. "I love seeing Tom Brady, he's cool as crap," Hardy said. "Have you seen his wife? I hope she comes to the game. I hope her sister comes to the game, all her friends come to the game. One of my favorite games of the year."

Let's reintroduce Hardy's past to show you just how "passionate" he is.  On May 13th, 2014, Hardy was arrested for assault and communicating threats to his ex-girlfriend. He was accused of grabbing and strangling her, throwing her into furniture, and threatening to kill her. Two months later he was found guilty. Hardy appealed, citing that he wanted a jury, but when it came time for the trial his ex-girlfriend never showed up, resulting in the charges being dropped.

My message to Hardy would be simple: Grow up, take responsibility for your actions, and be a decent human being. And that's just a start.

He has shown us how much we overlook the personal lives of athletes because what the so-called "important thing" to many (owners, coaches, fans) is what happens on the field.  Essentially, can he help your team win?

That's the mind frame Jones seems to have and until that changes, Hardy and others like him will continue to be able to have a place in the NFL, which they so rightfully do not deserve.

Compare Hardy to former Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice. Rice was also involved in a domestic violence incident involving his, then, fiancé. Since Rice's incident, he has nearly begged for a shot back in the NFL and has seemed to be extremely remorseful for his actions. Hardy, on the other hand, continues to be a classless human being.  I'm not implying that either deserve a second chance in the league, but if you had to choose between the two, Rice seems like a more viable candidate in that he is at least showing remorse.

Should something be done? Yes. The NFL needs more role models like  J.J. Watt, Peyton Manning, and Aaron Rodgers and less of guys like Hardy being the reason why the league is making headlines. Hardy seems to be searching for attention and what the NFL will do to counter his efforts means nothing to what they should do.  If he is asking for attention, lets give it to him. Make Hardy the face of domestic abuse. It's only fitting.

The fact that the charges have been eliminated from his record should mean absolutely nothing. He still committed a crime.

The NFL has done a better job in making their anti-violence agenda public in order to better their image over the last few months, but until there is a change around the league and a way in which more owners, coaches, players, and fans can become educated about the seriousness of domestic violence, the league's efforts with promoting change will only fall short.