Before Greg Hardy’s domestic violence arrest in 2014, he was one of the NFL’s top defensive ends. And, according to many former Carolina Panthers, Hardy also was a good teammate.
Much has changed in public opinion since the arrest, but Hardy remains a friend to many in the Panthers’ locker room ahead of their Thanksgiving matchup with his Dallas Cowboys.
“Greg is a great teammate, contrary to popular belief,” Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said on a conference call Tuesday, via Sporting News. “He is a person that came in and worked hard, gave everybody everything that he had and a person that you love to watch on Sundays. Any time you’ve got a person like that, it’s always great to watch. I’m wishing him the best.”
Hardy, a sixth-round pick by the Panthers in the 2010 NFL Draft, played four seasons in Carolina before his arrest. He sat out all but one game in 2014 while on the NFL’s exempt list.
Hardy signed with the Cowboys during the offseason, leading many to circle the Thankgiving game as an official reunion. Hardy has 4.5 sacks and 18 combined tackles in six games this season.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
