Greg Hardy's six-minute interview Sunday was unfortunate. We were told going in that Hardy would answer questions only about football. Expected that.
Hardy expressed no contrition. Didn't expect that.
Hardy, a Carolina Panthers' defensive end, was convicted July 15 of assaulting his girlfriend and communicating threats. He's appealing and the trial likely won't take place until after the 2014 season.
He spoke Sunday in Spartanburg before practice.
Six times Hardy declined to answer a question. Initially he was succinct. But the longer the interview went the longer his answers became. He talked about how he can improve as a player, how he'd like to remain a Panther, how hard Cam Newton works and how nobody can contain him.
Hardy also talked, in response to a question, talked about the attention he attracts and how he has caps and tobaggons coming out.
Hardy doesn't have to apologize to anybody. That's his call, not mine.
But I would like to have heard him say, "I wish I had done things differently," "I made some mistakes" or even tell women, "I'm sorry."
He never came close.
Perhaps he is innocent and doesn't feel he needs to apologize. Must be nice to sit in your office and judge a situation you did not witness. A District Court conviction is easy. Let's see wha 12 jurors say then perhaps you should apologize.
Posted by: James | July 27, 2014 at 03:27 PM
If you say your innocent why would you say sorry? If the jury comes back with a not guilty verdict then maybe Tom you should apologize.
Posted by: jason | July 27, 2014 at 05:13 PM
Once again the media trying to speak for the masses. Once again it's a huge miss. Hardy doesn't need to apologize and doesn't need to show contrition. Maybe the accuser needs to apologize since there are two sides to every story and then the truth.
Did he talk about football? That's what I want to hear Hardy talk about. football.
Posted by: Chuck | July 27, 2014 at 06:06 PM
Hey Tom, its on appeal. You slow?
Posted by: Mattock | July 27, 2014 at 06:08 PM
Tom I haven't seen you express much contrition when you have screwed up through the years. Hardy doesn't need to apologize to us if he hasn't did anything wrong. His teammates, coaches, and owner do deserve an apology for the distraction and I believe at the appropriate time he will do so if he hasn't done so already. Glass houses man...
Posted by: deepenwide | July 27, 2014 at 06:31 PM
Tom, you are wrong on this one. That Domestic Violence court is a sham. It is heavily weighted toward females and they are taking advantage of good men with the help of their lawyers every day. It is entirely possible she got those bruises by flailing herself at Hardy and his bodyguard. Please look into that court yang see for yourself. Ask any defense attorney. Hardy will be acquitted at his jury trial. This system is designed to take money from innocent men and it needs to stop.
Posted by: TheTruthSeeker | July 27, 2014 at 07:11 PM
Sorry for being a distraction to the team is contrition, if I understand the word.
What I don't like is the lack of respect shown to Hardy by the media. A Panthers rep clearly stated that he wouldn't answer questions about the legal proceedings, yet he was asked SIX times. And, you wonder why some guys don't like the media.
Posted by: Ben | July 27, 2014 at 07:26 PM
These comments calling out the writer amaze me. A large part of our population are clueless!
Posted by: John | July 27, 2014 at 08:23 PM
As I understand it, the US Constitution says a person is innocent until proven guilty. As I understand it, the case is on appeal and thus the entire legal proceedings have not yet played out and thus Greg Hardy has not yet been completely proven guilty.
Furthermore, if Greg Hardy said anything about the case don't you know the prosecution will use that against him. Greg Hardy's lawyers told him to be Johnny Tightlips. If Hardy said "I'm sorry for what I did" then the prosecution will say "See! He admitted it." One of our most important rights is the 5th Amendment.
I don't know if Greg Hardy is innocent or guilty. I'm waiting for the court proceedings to play out.
Posted by: Wade | July 27, 2014 at 09:08 PM
Sorenstam only knows "Rasslin". I quit having any respect for him years ago. His stories are meaningless. He still wants "The rich white Duke Lacrosse guys" to apologize.
Posted by: Toms Vagina | July 28, 2014 at 09:18 AM
"As I understand it, the case is on appeal and thus the entire legal proceedings have not yet played out and thus Greg Hardy has not yet been completely proven guilty."
It's not 100% cut and dried, but generally speaking Hardy is considered convicted and thus "proven guilty" at this point. That could be overturned by an appellate court, but at this point it's safe to say the presumption is that he's guilty.
Posted by: Bull City Dog | July 28, 2014 at 10:34 AM