Greg Hardy won his appeal with the NFL and had his suspension reduced from 10 to four games, and he may consider suing to have the suspension further reduced.
ESPN’s Ed Werder reports that Hardy’s agent Drew Rosenhaus is going to consult with the NFLPA about potentially suing to have the suspension reduced to two games:
Source: Greg Hardy and agent @RosenhausSports to consult with @NFLPA on whether to sue NFL. Threatened for suspension over 2 games
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) July 10, 2015
Below was the explanation given by arbitrator Harold Henderson for why he reduced the suspension:
“After consideration of all the record evidence and arguments, I conclude that the Commissioner acted within his authority and properly exercised his discretion in finding that Hardy violated the NFL Personal Conduct Policy…I find that the conduct of Hardy clearly violates the letter and spirit of any version of the PCP since its inception, and of the NFL Constitution and Bylaws long before then. The egregious conduct exhibited here is indefensible in the NFL. However, ten games is simply too much, in my view, of an increase over prior cases without notice such as was done last year, when the ‘baseline’ for discipline in domestic violence or sexual assault cases was announced as a six-game suspension. Therefore, the discipline of Mr. Hardy hereby is modified to a suspension of four games; all other terms of the discipline letter remain in place.”
Prior to the NFL calibrating its disciplinary system late last year, two games was the typical suspension for the types of crime Hardy was involved in, which would explain why his people would seek to have it further reduced.
Hardy should consider himself lucky that he got his suspension reduced to four games from 10, which will result in him being able to earn millions more in salary next year. Just read about the domestic violence allegations and tell me he isn’t lucky he’s not in jail.
