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Why Cowboys should not be surprised that NFL has yet to rule on Greg Hardy’s appeal
David Moore
Published: June 18, 2015 3:55 pm
Now that Cowboys mini-camp is done and players are about to disperse, you can expect a ruling on Greg Hardy’s appeal in the near future.
Those who search for meaning as to why arbiter Harold Henderson has yet to issue a response, those who wonder if this is a good or bad thing, miss the point.
One, Henderson is under no obligation to reach his decision in a specific timeframe.
Two, did anyone believe a ruling would be handed down when the media still had locker room access to the players?
Think about it. If Henderson upholds the 10-game suspension, don’t you think a player or two would criticize the process? Is it unreasonable to expect that in trying to support Hardy, some players would say they consider the suspension too harsh?
Imagine how those comments would play on a national stage: Cowboys defend Hardy, showing NFL players still don’t understand serious nature of domestic abuse.
The same applies if Henderson significantly reduces commissioner Roger Goodell’s penalty: Cowboys say NFL was right to reduce suspension because it was too severe.
Again, this doesn’t strike the proper political note the NFL desperately needs after its initial tone deaf response in the Ray Rice case.
That’s why Henderson has yet to rule on Hardy’s appeal.
And that’s why we’ll know what he thinks soon.
David Moore
Published: June 18, 2015 3:55 pm
Now that Cowboys mini-camp is done and players are about to disperse, you can expect a ruling on Greg Hardy’s appeal in the near future.
Those who search for meaning as to why arbiter Harold Henderson has yet to issue a response, those who wonder if this is a good or bad thing, miss the point.
One, Henderson is under no obligation to reach his decision in a specific timeframe.
Two, did anyone believe a ruling would be handed down when the media still had locker room access to the players?
Think about it. If Henderson upholds the 10-game suspension, don’t you think a player or two would criticize the process? Is it unreasonable to expect that in trying to support Hardy, some players would say they consider the suspension too harsh?
Imagine how those comments would play on a national stage: Cowboys defend Hardy, showing NFL players still don’t understand serious nature of domestic abuse.
The same applies if Henderson significantly reduces commissioner Roger Goodell’s penalty: Cowboys say NFL was right to reduce suspension because it was too severe.
Again, this doesn’t strike the proper political note the NFL desperately needs after its initial tone deaf response in the Ray Rice case.
That’s why Henderson has yet to rule on Hardy’s appeal.
And that’s why we’ll know what he thinks soon.