Quote:I think the NFL will come down on Hardy, but I don't anticipate a strong backlash from fans. Ask casual fans (or even non-fans) who Greg Hardy is. They wouldn't know. Now, ask who Ray Rice is.

 

That's what TMZ does for you. Right or wrong, the leak of Rice's hotel video put him in the spotlight. If not for that video, he wouldn't be a huge story. Kind of like how it was when it first happened. The hardcore football fans knew about it, but not "everyone". Then, the video dropped online...and suddenly everyone who had access to the internet knew who Ray Rice was.

 

While what Hardy did will offend a lot of people, I think the fact that the girl took a civil settlement will sway some people's mind.

 

I wouldn't be so certain about the lack of any strong backlash from the fans, especially here in Jacksonville.  The NFL has pumped a ton of money into pushing their new anti-domestic violence policy, and to denounce the behavior anywhere it happens.  I doubt many teams would relish the opportunity to bring in a guy who is documented to be one of the more notorious perpetrators. 

 

The only reason the case is going away is because they've basically bought the victim off.  I don't think the girl taking a settlement is going to diminish what transpired, and there will be a vocal group of fans who won't just let it go. I don't care how good a player is.  Few teams will want to deal with that kind of distraction.

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