Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones defended defensive end Greg Hardy on Friday evening, hours after a website posted police photos of injuries his former girlfriend suffered when Hardy allegedly assaulted her.
The photos had been seen by a judge in North Carolina and investigators from the NFL but had not been released to the public.
Deadspin published a series of 48 police photos showing significant bruising to the face, back, arms and feet of Hardy's former girlfriend, Nicole Holder, injuries she testified in a bench trial last year were the result of the former Carolina Panthers pass rusher throwing her against a tiled bathroom wall and onto a couch covered in assault rifles.
Hardy was convicted by a judge, but his case never went before a jury on appeal because prosecutors said the victim had reached a settlement and could not be located.
The release of the photos likely will not do anything to change the status of Hardy, now a member of the Dallas Cowboys, given the fact that the league saw them and included details about them when announcing a 10-game suspension earlier this year. Hardy appealed the punishment, and an arbitrator reduced the suspension to four games on grounds that the ruling was out of line with the league's former disciplinary standards.
Jones said the team was aware of the serious nature of the incident but had decided to give Hardy "a second chance."
In the statement, Jones said, "While we did not have access to the photos that became public today, we were and are aware of the serious nature of this incident. We as an organization take this very seriously. We do not condone domestic violence. We entered into the agreement with Greg fully understanding that there would be scrutiny and criticism. We have given Greg a second chance. He is a member of our team and someone who is grateful for the opportunity he has been given to move forward with his life and his career."
The incident occurred before the league enacted a new personal conduct policy last December that included harsher punishments for players involved in domestic violence or sexual assault cases.
The Cowboys signed Hardy to a one-year, incentive-laden deal in March, prior to the league issuing its discipline.
Hardy declined to speak to reporters during an open locker room period Friday, and head coach Jason Garrett's media availability occurred before the Deadspin story was posted.
A screengrab of Deadspin's article about Greg Hardy and his arrest for assault. (Photo: Deadspin)
The Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night.
Hardy already served his suspension to start this season and has started the last three games for the Cowboys, recording three sacks and 12 tackles.
Dallas owner Jerry Jones has even referred to Hardy as a leader on the team despite a recent sideline blowup directed at special teams coach Rich Bisaccia.
Contributing: Eric Prisbell from Irving, Texas
