Cowboys DE Hardy suspended for alleged abuse

NEW YORK — The NFL suspended defensive end Greg Hardy for 10 games without pay Wednesday for conduct detrimental to the league after concluding there was “credible evidence” he roughed up his ex-girlfriend nearly a year ago when he was a member of the Carolina Panthers.

Hardy, who joined the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent on a one-year, incentive-laden deal, was notified Wednesday of the decision in a letter from commissioner Roger Goodell. Hardy plans to appeal.

Goodell cited “sufficient credible evidence that Hardy engaged in conduct that violated NFL policies in multiple respects and with aggravating circumstances.” His assault case had been dismissed in a North Carolina court because his accuser refused to cooperate with prosecutors, but an NFL investigation concluded that Hardy used physical force against his ex-girlfriend, Nicole Holder, in at least four instances.

Hardy, 26, was on the commissioner’s Exempt List last season and did not play for Carolina, although he was paid his $13.1 million salary.

“This suspension is something that we anticipated prior to Greg’s signing, and we respect the commissioner’s ruling,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Wednesday in a statement. “Our organization understands the very serious nature of this matter.”

The NFL also concluded that Hardy failed to provide complete and accurate information to investigators and members of the league staff.

Goodell also directed Hardy to have a clinical evaluation conducted. Should counseling or treatment be recommended, Hardy would be expected to comply.