Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy has been suspended 10 games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league, the NFL announced Wednesday.
Hardy signed with Dallas this offseason on an incentive-based contract, depending on how many games he actually plays in 2015.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported, via a source, that Hardy will appeal the suspension. If Hardy serves the 10-game suspension, his first game with the Cowboys would come on Thanksgiving against the Carolina Panthers, his former team.
Hardy played for the Panthers from 2010 to 2014, but he saw action in only one game last season before being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list after he was charged with domestic violence against ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder. The case later was dismissed, but the NFL saw fit to punish Hardy based on its investigation.
“The net effect of these acts was that Ms. Holder was severely traumatized and sustained a range of injuries, including bruises and scratches on her neck, shoulders, upper chest, back, arms and feet,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote to Hardy. “The use of physical force under the circumstances present here, against a woman substantially smaller than you and in the presence of powerful, military-style assault weapons, constitutes a significant act of violence in violation of the Personal Conduct Policy.”
Thumbnail image via Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports Images
