How can you not love this guy?
http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/2013/12/greg-hardy-panthers-hogwarts-sunday-night-football-introduction.html
Greg Hardy explains 'Hogwarts' Sunday Night Football introduction
By now, you've probably seen Greg Hardy's 'Sunday Night Football' introduction. But in case you haven't, here you go.
The Panthers defensive end, while in sunglasses, referred to himself by his nickname and said he went to Harry Potter's Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
It's been hailed as potentially the best player introduction ever. Because of that, I had to follow up with Hardy after we asked a series of football-related questions following Carolina's 31-13 loss on Sunday night.
"It’s just the Kraken," Hardy said. "Mystical. It’s where he lives at."
I told him he may* be mixing his stories. The Kraken is a mythical sea creature and Hogwarts is from a series of J.K Rowling fantasy novels.
"I can do whatever I want," he said. "I’m the Kraken. If you feel like you can ask the Kraken personally where he goes to school at, and prove me wrong, then I feel like I’ll change it."
But you went to Ole Miss?
"That’s not where I said I went, though," Hardy said. "Now, G Hardy went to Ole Miss. That’s mind-blowing right there."
Here's how the whole thing came about: The NBC crew was in town last week filming player introductions. After practice, Hardy went to film the take--in sunglasses--and said "Kraken, Hogwarts."
"After practice, I’m tired," he said. "I'm trying to be as nice as I can. They said, 'Are you sure?' (I said) 'Yeah that’s all I got for you. Kind of want to go to sleep now.'"
"
I did (wear sunglasses). That was kind of my touch though. Figured why not? YOLO (You only live once). I can’t get in more trouble than I already did. I’m not riding a motorcycle. I’m not getting kicked out of something. I feel like I’m doing pretty good."
Hardy's introduction ranks among the best, along with Terrell Suggs' "Ball So Hard University." Coincidentally, Hardy was in the locker room Monday wearing a black t shirt with "Ball So Hard" printed on the front.
"I was excited about it. I’ve been talking about it for years. It was an honor. I figured I’d have some fun with it and enjoy the moment if it never comes back."
*Update: Hardy may have been correct when he said Hogwarts is where the Kraken lives. There is a giant squid that could be a Kraken that lives in Black Lake. (h/t to reader Katelyn.)
--Jonathan Jones