NFL: Staubach cheers on Cowboys, but not Hardy

Roger Staubach will continue to root for the Dallas Cowboys as they attempt to turn their disappointing season around.

But he won’t root for one particular player — Greg Hardy.

“I’m rooting for the Cowboys . . . I don’t root for him,” Staubach said Tuesday. “I’m not a Hardy fan.”

Staubach, the Hall of Fame quarterback and two-time Super Bowl champion, criticized Hardy’s behaviour on and off the field. He said recent actions suggest his temper is not yet under control and added he would be reluctant to forgive any domestic violence offender.

Staubach also questioned whether Hardy is sincerely apologetic.

In a bench trial, Hardy was convicted on charges of domestic violence against an ex-girlfriend in 2014. Seeking a jury trial, Hardy appealed and the case was ultimately dismissed in February when the ex-girlfriend, Nicole Holder, stopped co-operating with authorities.

Last week, Deadspin published a cache of photos, police interview transcripts and documents in a detailed report of Hardy’s alleged assault of Holder on May 12, 2014.

That prompted substantial criticism of the Cowboys, who signed the defensive lineman in the off-season, and in particularly team owner Jerry Jones, who has called Hardy a “real leader” on the team. Jones said Sunday the organization wanted to give Hardy a second chance.

For Staubach, the photos struck a nerve.

“People, when they see something they react differently, the same with the (Ray) Rice thing,” Staubach said. “We know what he did. I’ve got a wife and four daughters and I’ve got 12 granddaughters. I would go ballistic if anybody touched any of our daughters or granddaughters in a harmful way. I’m not forgiving for anybody that commits domestic violence.”