USA TODAY International Edition
Staubach still Cowboys fan but won’t cheer for 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 player — Greg Hardy.
“I’m rooting for the Cowboys; I don’t root for him,” Staubach told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday. “I’m still rooting for the Cowboys. I’m not a Hardy fan.”
The Hall of Fame quarterback and two- time Super Bowl champion criticized Hardy’s behavior on and off the field, saying recent actions suggested his temper was not under control and adding that he would be reluctant to forgive any domestic violence offender. Staubach also questioned whether Hardy was sincerely apologetic for his actions.
In a bench trial, Hardy was convicted on domestic violence charges against an ex- girlfriend in 2014. Seeking a jury trial, Hardy appealed. The case was dismissed in February when the accuser, Nicole Holder, stopped cooperating 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 in 2014.
That prompted substantial national criticism of the Cowboys, who signed the defensive lineman in the offseason, and particularly team owner Jerry Jones, who has called Hardy a real leader on the team. Jones said Sunday that the organization wanted to give Hardy a second chance. The photos revealed by Dead
spin struck a nerve for Staubach. “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 that forgiving for anybody that commits domestic violence.
“But we are human beings. It just seems like that particular problem, unless you really get a lot of help, you just don’t overcome it. You’ve got to get help. It’s not just, ‘ Hey, I did this, it won’t happen again.’ It happens again. … It’s a worrisome deal when someone hits a woman. Hopefully that someone is getting help to never do it again.”
Since rejoining the Cowboys after a four- game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal- conduct policy, Hardy has also made comments referencing the attractiveness of Tom Brady’s wife. And in the fourth quarter of a loss at the New York Giants, he shoved teammates toward the sideline and knocked a clipboard out of the special- teams coach’s hands.
Saturday, Hardy expressed in a tweet regret and said he was dedicated to being the best person and teammate he could be. Hardy was not seen in the team’s locker room during media availability after Sunday night’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Asked whether he was uncomfortable with Hardy being on the team, Staubach referenced Charlotte Jones Anderson, the team’s executive vice president and chief brand officer, and the work she has done with the league regarding domestic violence.
“I’ve worked with Charlotte in the Super Bowl, and she is nononsense,” Staubach said. “She’s involved with domestic violence in the league. I really believe that she would vet everything out of him to see that there is hope that he can get things turned around. I don’t see him personally, some of the things I’ve seen in the paper, trying to do that. I guess his latest Twitter was an apology.
“It just seems like the incident on the field, knocking the clipboard out of the coach’s hand, you can talk about passion, but you also have to talk about common sense on the field. He is still a mixed bag, as far as if he is really sincere about the past, making sure it never happens again.
“But I do think there’s more going on, that they know him better than we do and that there is some hope there. I think Charlotte would, I just know how tough she is, and she’s good, and she’s thoughtful.”
When asked what specifically he is displeased with, Staubach said, “I just feel that the reaction that he had on the field, losing his cool with the coach. ... It seems like his temper is not under control yet.”
In advance of Veterans Day, Staubach spoke about his involvement with United Services Automobile Association, the NFL’s official military appreciation sponsor. He urged fans to join the USAA in honoring the military by visiting SaluteToService.com.
“There’s military appreciation content featuring your favorite NFL players,” said Staubach, a USAA member since 1965 who, because of his military commitment, did not begin playing professionally until four years later as a 27- year- old.