Carolina Panthers

Greg Hardy is trying to sell you a lie

Published Apr. 5, 2016 8:02 p.m. ET

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Greg Hardy is unemployed and looking for a job, so for the first time, the former Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys defensive end willing to speak about the domestic violence incident that has been attached to him for the last two years.

In an exclusive interview with ESPN, Hardy claims that he is "innocent," "has been proven not guilty" and that he has "never put [his] hand on any woman."

Hardy also claimed that he is being treated like "a leper" because of the domestic violence rap he carries, and that he's just a misunderstood guy who is going to be an upstanding citizen moving forward.

The 2013 Pro Bowler wants you to forget about the terrible things people say he's done. He wants you to change your mind about him. He has a good agent, a better lawyer, and a plan that might just work.

Adam Schefter, who interviewed Hardy for ESPN, told the Dan Patrick Show Tuesday that he's come away with a different perspective on the defensive end:

"I went in with the idea that this guy is a monster. I came out of there with a very different feeling. This is a guy who has managed to say the wrong things at the wrong time. I found him to be a changed kind of guy."

Schefter's reputation in the media landscape is bordering on unimpeachable. He's near universally respected and he's never been confused for a blowhard because he rarely injects opinion unless it's necessary. That's what made those comments —€” which were unquestionably subjective in nature —€” so surprising.

The first stop in Hardy's redemption tour was a success. All he had to do was lie. That's because if you tell the lie with enough confidence, you can fool almost anyone. More so, it can become the truth to you as well.

But it's still a lie.

Hardy has not been proven innocent of the charges against him. In fact, before a civil settlement was reached with Nicole Holder, he was convicted of assault against her. Those charges were only dropped after Holder refused to testify against him in an appeal after that settlement was reached out of court.

As for the fact that he's never laid his hands on a woman, there are dozens of photos of cuts and bruises that Holder claims were inflicted by Hardy.

But those photos don't hold any credence, according to Hardy: "Pictures are pictures, and they can be made to look like whatever they want to."

That claim of plausible deniability doesn't hold up, though. The court that convicted Hardy of assault against Holder didn't believe the photos were doctored or faked, and nor should you.

But Hardy can say whatever he wants now. Because of a faulty prosecution and double-jeopardy laws, Hardy is in the clear unless Holder opts to break her settlement.

That's probably why Hardy needs this job. He has bills to pay.

If Hardy is able to continue to execute his plan unabated, some NFL team is going to fall for the ploy and come away with the same impression as Schefter. Desperate for sacks and short on scruples, a general manager is going to look into Hardy's eyes as he recites the same lies with the same level of confidence, and he's going to land a contract because of it.

There are voices opposing Hardy, though —€” character witnesses who can testify against him.

Steve Smith, Greg Hardy's teammate in Carolina, tweeted his disgust at Hardy's comments Monday. "So I guess she tripped on the carpet or something," he said.

Others will continue to speak out if Hardy continues his tour.

But until then, it's important to remember that in this he-said, she-said situation that she in question has already spoken. Deadspin released Holder's 44-page police report last year.

Which side will you believe?

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