PFT: NFL may suspend Hardy

[TheRumGone]

I heard an ESPN analyst refer to him as a twice convicted FELON. I would sue.

I've heard that too. Also have heard other panther fans and fans in general claiming video evidence shows hardy is guilty. Where are they getting that info? The media.

This is a straight up character assassination.

[Happy Panther]

When a private entity imposes discipline in an unfair/uneven manner, then it opens itself up to lawsuits. When you have owners like Irsay get arrested and discipline isn't imposed until things are resolved legally, the NFL should not hold players to a higher standard than it's owners. Can you imagine the NFL suspending Irsay (with pay) from coming to work until his case is resolved? It didn't happen so how can they take any action against a player before the court case is resolved? Irsay was charged with 2 misdemeanors .....just like Hardy.

Depends on what agreements are in place. In this case the CBA. Lawsuits of this nature are usually centered around breaking your own bylaws. 

 

I doubt Hardy would stand a chance in court arguing that his punishment is inconsistent with Irsay's (if he get's punished).

[Happy Panther]

I heard an ESPN analyst refer to him as a twice convicted FELON. I would sue.

On what grounds?

[Panther53521]

If they waited on due process for a drug dealing owner. Then they need to wait on due process for every player. We have rage over racial owners in the NBA but where is the rage that a NFL owner was dealing drugs. ... BTW what does a 6 game suspension do to an owner?, if he has a good GM all the owner needs to do is sit back and collect money.

[KendrickPanther]

On what grounds?

 

Calling someone a felon when they are charged with 2 misdemeanors is slander is it not? It paints him in a negative light to the public and right now he is losing potential earnings because of his damaged image.

[bigdog10]

If I were Rivera and Company, I would make the move on Friday to announce his deactivation from the game on Sunday.  I would at least make Pittsburgh prepare as if there is a possibility he may play.

 

I don't see how you let him play this week though, not after the move was made last week.  If you trot him out there on Sunday, everything you did last week will be erased.  The media will put Jerry, DG, and Rivera on public trial and convict them of not being sensitive enough to women and domestic violence.  

 

I think most here are in the same agreement that this whole process is fugged up, but unfortunately Hardy has been convicted in the court of public opinion, and he is guilty until proven innocent.  No move which results in Hardy playing another snap until (or IF) he is cleared of the charges, will result in anything positive for those three men or the Panthers as a whole.

[rodeo]

If AP is playing it's absolutely absurd to deactivate Hardy.

[Davidson Deac II]

I agree with due process, but I don't think the NFL is objectively acting on its own. The media and the modern day mob is twisting its arms...

 

The ultimate decision resides within the NFL.  Pressure can be exerted, but they cannot be forced.

[Panther53521]

If the NFL says he is eligible to play, then he plays ... and you refer all questions to the NFL

[Davidson Deac II]

The NFLPA might have something to say about that. You want a strike because punishing people before a court determines guilt is how you get a strike.

 

Which is why I said in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.  If they violate the terms of that agreement, then the Union would have a legit grievance. 

[Kuech the Sneak]

They should just suspend him already and get it over with, take the weight off everyone's shoulders

[Happy Panther]

Calling someone a felon when they are charged with 2 misdemeanors is slander is it not? It paints him in a negative light to the public and right now he is losing potential earnings because of his damaged image.

He hasn't lost anything

 

Main thing is you would have to prove damages and probably that damages were directly attributable to someone saying he was a felon. Plus as others have stated the criteria for defamation of a celebrity is much higher. I think you have to prove intent.

 

In other words, I could post that Hardy is into bestality and Satan worship but he will have no case against me.

 

These cases are very hard to win and even harder for celebs. You can sue for anything though for sure.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

So I guess some uninformed media talking head idiots > due process

 

OK then

[cgarsmoker]

Depends on what agreements are in place. In this case the CBA. Lawsuits of this nature are usually centered around breaking your own bylaws.

I doubt Hardy would stand a chance in court arguing that his punishment is inconsistent with Irsay's (if he get's punished).

Irsay was suspended 6 games and fined $500k but it didn't happen until his legal case was concluded. Hardy should get the benefit of the same policy granted to the owners.