In the wake of the sickening revelation of Ray Rice's misdeeds last February, the NFL has had to stop on a dime and address some other high-profile domestic abuse cases. Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, who played in week 1 while appealing a conviction on a domestic violence charge, was deactivated at the last minute last Sunday due to the large public outcry against the rampant abuse problem that seems apparent in the league. Now Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL, has placed Hardy on the exempt list.
Hardy has reportedly been placed on the so-called Exempt List, which seems like a suspension. Not sure why they didn't just suspend him instead (via CBS Sports):
"Panthers' defensive end Greg Hardy agreed to be placed on the Exempt/Commissioner's Permission list, meaning he won't be around the team until his legal case is resolved, reports Bleacher Report's Jason Cole. Hardy is awaiting a jury trial on domestic violence charges."
This special list seems to be the latest, most creative cop out yet in Goodell's dreadful handling of the plague of off the field violence that is infecting the National Football League.
Goodell's ability to do so much work to avoid having to actually make a definitive decision reminds me of some sort of fable (via ESPN):
"According to the NFL, only Commissioner Roger Goodell has the authority to place a player on the exempt list, as it is a 'special player status available to clubs only in unusual circumstances.'"
While Hardy sits out indefinitely with his special status, football fans all over are probably wondering why Commissioner Goodell is more intent on protecting his players and that godforsaken Shield and less concerned with victims of domestic abuse.
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