IRVING, Texas – After weeks of speculation, Greg Hardy has opted not to fight the four-game NFL suspension that will sideline him until Oct. 5.
Hardy released a statement through the NFL Players Association on Thursday evening, stating his intention to refrain from pursuing legal action.
The statement reads: "While I am terribly disappointed to miss the first four games of this season, I am absolutely determined that my issue is not going to be a distraction for the Cowboys. I have enormous affection and respect for everyone here, and having seen the impact a court case can have on an NFL organization, I believe it is in the team's best interest for me to announce that I will not pursue any further litigation. Everything I do from this point on will be designed to bring glory and pride to my family, their family and this team."
Hardy's original 10-game suspension was reduced to four all the way back in July, before the Cowboys reported to training camp. But it remained unclear if he would pursue a further reduction on the grounds that the incident which prompted his suspension fell under the NFL's old personal conduct policy.
Tom Brady's court battle – and the eventual nullification of his four-game suspension – over his role in the Patriots ball deflation scandal only fueled the conversation that Hardy might follow suit.
His decision not to will close a storyline that has followed the Cowboys since they signed Hardy as a free agent in March. In July 2014, the veteran defensive end was charged with assaulting and threatening his ex-girlfriend, and he was placed on the commissioner's exempt list for 15 games during the 2014 season.
The charges were eventually dropped, but Hardy was suspended for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
He spent the entire offseason and preseason with the Cowboys, before his suspension went into effect on Sept. 5. While he serves the suspension, Hardy isn't allowed at the team facility. He's eligible to return on Monday, Oct. 5 as the Cowboys begin preparations for their Week 5 game against New England.
