Former NFL player Greg Hardy, who later transitioned to the UFC and boxing, was arrested in Richardson, Texas, as indicated by prison records. Hardy, last seen playing for the Dallas Cowboys in 2015, was booked on Wednesday at 2:29 pm and remained detained without bail set as of Thursday morning. The records state he was arrested for “assault causing physical injuries to his family.”
Hardy, 36, played as a defensive end over six NFL seasons. Drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft from Ole Miss, he made a name as a strong pass rusher, achieving 15 sacks in 2013. However, he played only one game that season due to being on the Commissioner’s exemption list amid legal issues.
Following the season, Carolina decided not to renew Hardy’s contract. He then joined the Dallas Cowboys in 2015, a move that drew criticism because of his history of legal troubles. Hardy was initially suspended for 10 games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, later reduced to four games. He only played one season in Dallas and never returned to the NFL.
After his football career ended, Hardy shifted to combat sports, earning a 7-5 professional record in mixed martial arts, including several UFC heavyweight fights from 2019 to 2022. He later moved to boxing, participating in both professional and exhibition bouts.
Hardy has faced additional legal issues post-NFL. In 2016, he was arrested in Texas on cocaine possession charges, which were dropped after he completed a pretrial diversion program. His 2014 domestic violence conviction was overturned on appeal when the accuser did not appear in court, leading to the charges being removed from his record.
Fan Take: This news is significant for fight fans as it highlights the ongoing personal struggles of a controversial figure who transitioned from football to combat sports. Hardy’s legal issues could influence his legacy and impact how athletes with troubled pasts are perceived in the fighting world.
