football

Greg Hardy Takes to Twitter to Express Regret

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy took to Twitter Saturday to express his regret over things that have happened in his past.

On Thursday a domestic violence charge against Hardy was expunged and on Friday the photos, appearing to show Hardy's ex-girlfriend battered and bruised, were released by Deadspin.

In 2014, Hardy was convicted for threatening and assaulting his then-girlfriend Nicole Holder in Charlotte, North Carolina, NBC Sports reported. About a month after the alleged attack, the NFL suspended him with no pay for 10 games, according to a press release put out by the league's vice president of communications, Brian McCarthy. The suspension was later reduced to four games.

The charges against Hardy have been dropped and expunged, which means they were erased from the eyes of the law.

The charges were dismissed in February 2015 after Holder did not appear in court. The Mecklenburg County district attorney's office said it had "reliable information" that the pair had reached a civil settlement, according to ESPN.

But the case was back in the spotlight on Friday after Deadspin released the photographs.

Deadspin said it received hundreds of pages of records, some already reported, including police reports, interview transcripts and photos. The publication released over 40 photos that appear to show Holder with bruises on her arms, legs, chin, neck and foot.

In March 2015, the former Carolina Panthers' star signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Since starting, the team's owner Jerry Jones has called Hardy a "real leader" who inspires the team, even after video showed him shoving a coach during a game.

"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 very this 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," Jerry Jones wrote in a public statement through his public relationships representative.

Hardy, whose Twitter handle is @OverlordKraken also expressed his feelings over playing NFL football.

Hardy’s tweets have done little to change the minds of those who believe he should not be allowed to play another down of football.

"No woman should be abused the way she was," said Debra Nixon Bowles, a local advocate for victims of domestic violence. "Those pictures were horrific. I was in tears when I saw that."

Bowles says she she’s disappointed in the Cowboys for not taking any action after the pictures were published and plans to join others outside AT&T Stadium Sunday in protest of Hardy.

"Mr. Jones, what if it was your daughter?" said Bowles. "Those beatings she took were unacceptable."

NBC 5's Tim Ciesco contributed to this report. 

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