Cowboys legend Staubach would've handled Hardy signing differently
Roger Staubach is often held up as the ideal representative of the Dallas Cowboys, both on and off the field.
So what would the football hero, Navy veteran, successful businessman and consummate family man do about the Cowboys' signing of Greg Hardy?
Staubach told WFAA TV's Daybreak that he would have relied upon the expertise of Jan Langbein, CEO of Dallas' Genesis Women's Shelter, to determine whether the Cowboys should have signed a player with domestic violence issues.
"I would have brought her on board and let her vet it out and have her make the decision," Staubach said. "I think someone that has been through it understands it, and understands the perpetrator and what they're like and their problem. And can they recover?"
The Cowboys didn't ask Langbein for her opinion, but several media outlets did after the Cowboys signed Hardy to a one-year contract last week.
Hardy was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend by a judge, although the conviction was later dismissed when Hardy's accuser could not be found for a jury trial.
Langbein told The Dallas Morning News that it's possible for an abuser to be reformed through counseling, but that it can take several months or even years. The incident involving Hardy took place last May.
"I would have loved to see that accountability before the fact," Langbein said. "He may have seen the way of his evil behavior, but I've never seen anybody turn on the dime that quickly."
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones did listen at least one strong female voice: his daughter's. Charlotte Jones Anderson, herself a Cowboys executive, told The Morning News she consulted with her father before the signing and indicated Hardy has agreed to certain requirements.
"We don't believe in throwing people away," Anderson said. "The experts have told us it is far better to provide a way out, coupled with educational and rehabilitative services and therapy. That does more to protect the victim and prevent future violence than a zero tolerance policy. We have to trust the advice of the experts."
Staubach said he trusts Anderson.
"Hopefully the Cowboys did vet it out," Staubach said. "Charlotte is fantastic. She is saying that they had a lot of input into it."
Staubach went on the morning news program to promote a literacy campaign coupled with a children's book, "Where is Pidge?" written by one of his four daughters, Michelle Staubach Grimes.
While Staubach trusts the Cowboys did their homework on Hardy, he was emphatic that an expert like Langbein should have been involved in the process.
"We have one of the finest women that understands domestic violence, that runs Genesis here in our city," Staubach said. "She (Langbein) gets it. She knows every aspect of it. She knows if it's going to happen again in most cases.
"She really knows the whole issue related to domestic violence. I would have brought her on board to help make the decision."
Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire
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