In modern football, scandal and professional sports go hand in hand. Fans are almost desensitized when it comes to the atrocities our favorite athletes involve themselves in. More and more, people are looking the other way, and, in recent news, Carolina Panthers' Jerricho Cotchery claimed he would welcome disgraced Greg Hardy back on his team with open arms. However, new reports are saying that Hardy, who was accused of attacking his ex-girlfriend, can only return to the NFL as a free agent.
Before his time as a professional, Greg Hardy played college ball for the University of Mississippi, a.k.a. "Ole Miss." During his time there, he proved himself to be one of the best pass rushers on the college level. Contrary to public desire, Hardy stayed in Mississippi for his senior year.
All in all, Hardy had 38.5 career tackles for loss and 26.5 sacks, which included a Best in the SEC, 10.0 sacks, in 2007. These impressive stats earned him a six-round pick by the Carolina Panthers during the 2010 NFL Draft.
However, as you can see, his time with the ever-improving Panthers was cut short. According to TMZ Sports, Hardy may be a wife beater, but he hasn't lost the support of everyone on his team:
"Carolina Panthers star Greg Hardy has at least ONE supporter if the team decides to bring him back after his domestic violence case...teammate Jerricho Cotchery, who says Hardy deserves a second chance. [Cotchery says] he's aware of the allegations against Hardy -- that he attacked his ex-girlfriend in a jealous rage -- but says he defers to Jesus when it comes to judgment. 'I can't speak for everybody, but I would welcome him back with open arms,' Cotchery says..."
Hardy is probably very proud to hear Jerricho's statements. However a report by ESPN suggest that a Carolina return isn't eve possible:
"Hardy is one of the NFL's best pass-rushers, reportedly will become a free agent because the Panthers no longer want anything to do with him. You can't really blame them. Not after the crimes he was accused of committing. Domestic violence charges against Hardy were dismissed on Tuesday because his accuser, ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder, did not make herself available to help with the case, prosecutors announced. Hardy's appeal of his 2014 conviction was scheduled to start Monday."
What are your opinions on domestic violence in professional sports? Are they given an out that normal citizen never get? Let us know in the comment section below.
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