Dallas Mayor on Cowboys' decision to sign Greg Hardy: 'This was a shot in the gut'
After missing nearly the entire 2014 season amid domestic violence charges, Greg Hardy was certain to generate some negative reactions upon signing with his new team when free agency got under way.
That team, of course, was the Dallas Cowboys, as Hardy officially agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the organization Wednesday.
Though the signing is still relatively recent, and there is likely still plenty of reaction yet to come, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings is the most prominent figure to speak negatively against the move thus far.
"As a Cowboys fan, this was a shot in the gut,” Rawlings said Thursday, according to Sarah Mervosh of the Dallas Morning News.
"I'm a big Cowboys fan. I love them to death and I want them to beat the Eagles every time they play. But at some point, being a sports fan gets trumped by being a father, husband, wanting to do what’s right for women, so this is not a good thing. I don’t think I’m going to be buying Hardy jerseys any time soon."
Rawlings called the Cowboys on Thursday morning to discuss the decision. The team explained they had both conducted background checks and structured Hardy's contract to ensure that he'd be held accountable for his actions going forward.
While Rawlings said that he'll remain a Cowboys fan, he stressed that he doesn't at all agree with the team's decision to sign the defensive end.
Hardy was initially found guilty of assaulting a woman and communicating threats, but after appealing the ruling and asking for a jury trial, charges were dismissed when the alleged victim failed to cooperate with prosecutors.
Hardy remains on the commissioner's exempt list as the NFL continues to investigate the matter, awaiting a decision from the league office on a possible suspension heading into the 2015 season.
- With h/t to ProFootballTalk