Greg Hardy Comments on Domestic Violence Case in ESPN Interview

NFL defensive end Greg Hardy again denied he ever hit a woman in an interview with ESPN's Adam Schefter that will air on Tuesday's NFL Live at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Hardy elaborated on the issue, per an excerpt, via Bill Hofheimer of ESPN MediaZone:

"

I've never put my hand on ANY women ... In my whole entire life. No sir. That's just not how we're raised. As you can tell, like I said again, it's the Bible belt. It's just something that's, I wouldn't even say frowned upon, just something that's nonexistent in most southern homes.

"

Schefter continued to press Hardy on the incident:

"

Schefter: You say you did nothing wrong, you're innocent and yet the pictures of her that surfaced would seem to suggest a woman who had some type of physical contact. How do you explain that?

Hardy: I will stop you there and say that I didn't say that I didn't do anything wrong. That situation occurred and that situation was handled but ... saying that I did nothing wrong is a stretch but saying I am innocent is correct. Yes sir.

Schefter: Did you ever put your hands on her?

Hardy: No sir ... No sir.

"

ESPN also shared video of the exchange between Schefter and Hardy.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. responded to Hardy's comments on Twitter:

Schefter also asked Hardy how he can explain what happened, to which Hardy said, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk:

"

I don’t think I want to get into a situation like that. It’s in the past. I want to say that I’m an innocent man, I’ve been proven not guilty, and it’s a situation that’s in my past. And I feel like, as a grown man, as a football player of my caliber there are situations, inside that situation, where it has nothing to do with the situation, but I could have done better. I should have done better.

"

When Schefter asked Hardy how his accuser had bruises on her body, Hardy responded with "Like I said, that’s a conversation for lawyers. Pictures are pictures and they can be made to look like whatever they want to.”

Hardy, 27, was the subject of a domestic violence case in 2014, though the charges against him were dropped in February 2015. He reportedly settled out of court with his accuser and ex-girlfriend, Nicole Holder, who also failed to appear at Hardy's hearing.

Graphic images (warning: NSFW content) of the injuries allegedly obtained from Holder in her dispute with Hardy emerged in November 2015, along with disturbing descriptions of the injuries she suffered from police reports and interviews given after the incident.

Hardy has maintained his innocence, however.

After the Carolina Panthers allowed him to leave in free agency in March 2015, Hardy signed with the Dallas Cowboys and registered 35 tackles, six sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in 12 games. He was often a distraction in Dallas, however, reportedly showing up late for meetings, per Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports, slapping a clipboard out of a coach's hands and making unbecoming comments about Tom Brady's wife, Gisele.

Edholm of Yahoo Sports believes that's why Hardy remains a free agent this offseason, noting, "His insubordination made him unemployable in a market where his skills should be extremely valuable."

Indeed, teams are always looking to improve their pass rush, and Hardy notched 26 sacks between the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The fact that a player who has a history of being dominant at a highly valued position is unsigned suggests that teams simply may not want to take on the headache and public relations nightmare that Hardy brings to the table despite the potential production he would also offer.