July 10, 2015
The NFL announced today (late on a Friday as they are wont to do) that Cowboys DE Greg Hardy will have his suspension reduced from 10 games all the way down to four.
Harold Henderson's decision on Greg Hardy appeal is in. Suspension upheld. Reduced from 10 to 4 games
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) July 10, 2015
Hardy was originally suspended for an incident involving his former girlfriend Nicole Holder. An except of Roger Goodell's statement on the initial suspension, via NFL.com:
"The NFL's investigation concluded that Hardy violated the Personal Conduct Policy by using physical force against Nicole Holder in at least four instances," the statement read.
"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," Commissioner Goodell wrote in his decision. "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."
The significant reduction in games is a huge win for the Cowboys, who will now have Hardy's services for 12 regular season games instead of six, barring injury or another assault on a woman.
The Eagles play the Cowboys in Week 2 this season, so they will miss facing him in their first meeting with their division rivals, unless Hardy decides to continue his appeal and has his suspension lowered even further.
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