Dallas Cowboys

Petition signed by 72,000+ to get Greg Hardy kicked out of NFL

Published Dec. 4, 2015 10:04 a.m. ET

foxsports

A petition that pleads with Commissioner Roger Goodell and/or Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to kick Greg Hardy out of the NFL has garnered over 72,000 signatures, a few thousand short of its stated 75,000 goal.

The movement, as it were, was launched on change.org by a Philadelphia Eagles fan, but has attracted supporters from football fans all over the country.

The petition takes the form of an open letter to Goodell and Jones and explains why Hardy shouldn’t be allowed to play professional football in light of his off-the-field problems, specifically a May 2014 domestic abuse incident of his then-girlfriend.

The letter, which spells out the troubling details of the domestic violence case and references disturbing photos that surfaced in November of Hardy’s ex-girlfriend, reads in part.

As a Philadelphia Eagles fan, I am having an increasingly hard time supporting a league that gives players the privilege to play in the NFL despite these kind of actions. With the evidence publicly released, the next step is absolutely clear: Greg Hardy must go right now. Please sign my petition if you agree.

Hardy was signed by the Cowboys in the offseason to an incentive-laden contract. The defensive end was suspended 10 games in April by the league in relation to the May 2014 incident and its aftermath. But an arbiter reduced that suspension to four games.

His tenure with the Cowboys after serving his ban has been filled with controversy as well, including making disparaging comments about Tom Brady and his wife and talk of coming out with “guns blazing.” Other incidents involve an outburst and physical confrontation with the Cowboys special teams coach and being late and/or skipping meetings.

Jones defended Hardy's comments and insisted that he wanted to sign the defensive end to a long-term deal. He has since softened that stance.

While the petition demonstrates fan support for Hardy not being in the NFL, the only way Hardy won’t be playing football next season is if Jones -- and every other owner in the league -- chooses not to sign him.

In seven games this season, Hardy has 18 combined tackles and 4.5 sacks.

More from Sportress of Blogitude: