PFT: NFL may suspend Hardy

[jamos14]

The Rice situation was different because there was video evidence of his behavior. In a case where this type of clear evidence does not exist, it would be unfair to suspend a player when they have not yet been found guilty of anything. If you do, what happens if the player is acquitted?! Is the league going to pay the player for the lost wages from being suspended for something they were found innocent of doing?! The Rice incident should not drive the decision in all cases where a player is accused of something.  The league needs to recognize one of the most important aspects of our legal system, you are innocent until proven guilty. Punishing a player before they have had their day in court is wrong and should not happen unless there is clear and irrefutable evidence and the player admits to the act.

[Doc Holiday]

Here's the one thing I will add if the same thing that happened to Hardy happened to me I'd be fired and have to change careers the next day. No questions asked. A suspension in a league where you are paid in the millions is still a slap on the wrist compared to what I'd get for the same offense.

[Snake]

For the people who are saying its Hardy's faulty my question is this. How many of you or your friends have ever had a crazy ex? The only difference is we don't make millions and our jobs don't punish us for mistakes like the NFL.

[MCC]

Just suspend him for 6 games now and get it over with. I just don't want this to drag out and him have to be inactive and the games don't count towards a suspension.

He'll be back by midseason if he does his time now.

Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[Marguide]

For those of you claiming he should sue for slander, defamation of character, etc., my understanding is it's almost impossible for famous people to win cases of that type. I seem to remember reading there are different standards and thresholds for people in the public eye.

 

I know we have at least a couple of lawyers on here. Can one of you comment on this?

[LawCat]

What will the NFL do if they suspend Hardy now for 7 games and then he is found not guilty in Superior court jury trial?

This is why it is prudent to wait until the case is resolved. Just saying.

[Panther53521]

My whole point is that there was not the outcry from the media during week 1. Then the Ray Rice video comes out, then the media is all over it.

 

to the Media and their quote "what has changed?" That is all I have heard from the Media.

 

NOTHING CHANGED FROM WEEK 1 TO WEEK 2 EXCEPT YOU SAW A VIDEO AND YOU NEED RATINGS. 

 

They were ok with him playing week 1

[Proudiddy]

Vikings & 49ers aren't a threat to their golden boy Peyton winning a SB.

Panthers are a big threat.

My issue isn't even homer-based though. It's just general principle... it stinks. They still haven't addressed Goodell's apparent cover up of Rice's incident so they decide to shift the conversation and focus onto a new case so he can redeem himself and say, "this guy was a convicted woman beater and look how I did the right thing the first time around, here!"

Now, obviously, the issue is that for one, the circumstances surrounding Hardy's incident are extremely questionable. There is no proof he did what he is accused of. Furthermore, he is awaiting appeal. When a player gets suspended due to substance abuse/PEDs and they appeal, the NFL allows them to continue to play until the appeal is heard. But, you're gonna go ahead and suspend a guy who is awaiting his appeal in an actual court of law?

Again, every other guy currently in the discussion has strong, physical proof that they did what they are accused of: Peterson has pictures, McDonald left his wife bruised, beaten and abused her in front of multiple witnesses, and Rice had the video. Explain to me why Hardy is at the forefront of the discussion considering what we know about this case... he has the least evidence against him and is awaiting an appeal.

It's not that I even care about him playing, it's that it is totally and completely unfair. Our defense was fine without him, so I really am past worrying whether he'll be playing for us again or not. It just wreaks of injustice. I don't care if Hardy was on the Raiders or even a division rival, if all else was the same, I would still be angry about the way he's been treated.

[LawCat]

For those of you claiming he should sue for slander, defamation of character, etc., my understanding is it's almost impossible for famous people to win cases of that type. I seem to remember reading there are different standards and thresholds for people in the public eye.

I know we have at least a couple of lawyers on here. Can one of you comment on this?

Correct. Public Figures have to prove the additional element of "actual malice" for defamation. Basically, that whoever said the false and defamatory statement did it with the intent to hurt the public figure somehow.

[ed bell]

Personally I think this is what needed to be addressed before our franchise was left with this steaming pile of poo in our hands. For the past week I've wondered what the labor agreement and the NFLPA allows when it comes to disciplining this. It's a simple question, can Hardy even be legally suspended without pay? If the NFLPA says not yet due to Hardy not previously being in trouble for this, then just defer to the legal proceedings. If he can be suspended, then determine whether the new rules should apply or not (six games). If they don't, then just set the punishment at two games (it's misdemeanor charges) and let him appeal it pending his jury trial. If he's guilty that costs him about 1.5 million dollars. How's that for a serious penalty for misdemeanors?

[CRA]

Here is my question.

Let's say they suspend him until his court date.

That is 5 games suspended plus one deactivation as punishment. Then what?

If he is guilty? You give him one game? Policy is 6 games and he already has 5. Another 6? Then that is 11 games and a deactivation as punishment.....which is far more than the league policy.

If innocent? You suspended a man for 5 games and deactiviated him for one while due process played out?

It just seems there is fault no matter what happens. Nothing makes sense to do IMO

[Panther53521]

Rice had the video

 

AP has pictures

 

McDonald was arrested for FELONY DV .. but as ESPN preaches and defends the 49ers. He actually does not have a charge yet. California law requires an investigation first and since so many people saw it, it is taking a long time. (wonder how much being a starter on the 49ers is delaying the investigation).

 

Hardy has a charge of misdemeanor DV .. but he is the bad guy in ALL of this

[iBBB]

Hardy needs to speak the hell up. Because he is not talking, people are abandoning him. He must reassure those who still want him to play here. 

 

I know he has a poor choice of words, but gd, pay someone to write you a f statement. 

[Doc Holiday]

I will say if the goal is to just get to the playoffs(team is probably good enough for that now) and make a push for the Super Bowl, suspend him now or not at all. They will push his trail to the offseason and it won't happen this year.