Greg Hardy Deactivated By Carolina Panthers Due To Domestic Violence Conviction As NFL Tries To Repair Image Under Commissioner Roger Goodell's Orders

Has the NFL finally woken up and decided that violence of any nature committed by its players looks really bad on the part of the organization and it shouldn't be tolerated? Today, after surviving one of the worst weeks in the history of the league, the Carolina Panthers decided to deactivate defensive end Greg Hardy because of his July conviction on a domestic violence charge stemming from an incident back in May.

Hardy was sentenced to 18 months probation and a suspended 60-day jail sentence after being convicted of beating and threatening to kill his 24-year old then-girlfriend. She filed for a Protection From Abuse Order based on her statement to police which was pretty horrific.

"Greg Hardy attacked me in his apartment.[Greg] picked me up and threw me into the tile tub area in his bathroom. I have bruises from head to toe, including my head, neck, back, shoulders, arms, legs, elbow and feet. [Greg] pulled me from the tub by my hair, screaming at me that he was going to kill me, break my arms and other threats that I completely believe. He drug me across the bathroom and out into the bedroom. [Greg] choked me with both hands around my throat while I was lying on the floor."

At the time of Hardy's conviction he managed to postpone a possible suspension from the Panthers by appealing and his case is scheduled to be heard in November. The Panthers had decided not to take any kind of action against Hardy pending the final outcome of that appeal, at least until today. Hardy was allowed to play last week but he has now been deactivated by the team.

There has been so much outrage coming from the general public and a multitude of fans this week who believe that the NFL has mishandled several cases in favor of covering themselves in the press. An anti-NFL social media campaign was launched today with banners scheduled to fly over all four games declaring that the league's commissioner Roger Goodell must go. The organization claims that it is trying to clean up messes and change how it approaches violent acts committed by players. Is it too little too late? Better yet, is the NFL deactivating players simply as a PR move to try and save face?

Tags

Carolina Panthers, NFL, Domestic Violence, Roger Goodell, Ray Rice, Scandal