Greg Hardy Denied by Fan Vote to Play for Salt Lake Indoor Football Team

Former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy wants another chance to play football, but the interested indoor football team did not receive permission from its fans.

The Salt Lake Screaming Eagles said on their website on Wednesday that Hardy is "interested" in joining the team but the decision would be made by the fans in an online vote.

The vote closed at 1 a.m. ET on Thursday and fans voted "no" on Hardy joining the organization, per ESPN.com's Darren Rovell: "Results on the team app, which fans use to vote to call plays during games for the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles of the Indoor Football League was a virtual 50-50 tie, but an undisclosed percentage point margin put a trophy icon next to 'no.'"

The organization released a statement to its fans when announcing the fan vote, via ESPN: "We have spent the past week speaking with Greg directly and with many of his former teammates and coaches. After hours of deliberation and debate, Screaming Eagles ownership, management, and coaches are in unanimous agreement that we will support Greg joining the team under one condition—that our fans vote to allow him."

According to Rovell, Hardy would have been activated immediately if he received fan approval.

There is no denying the player's impact on the field. Hardy was a Pro Bowler in 2013 after totaling 15 sacks for the Carolina Panthers. However, he was found guilty of assaulting and threatening his former girlfriend. Though the charges were later dismissed, he spent almost the entire 2014 season on the commissioner's exempt list.

The Dallas Cowboys gave him another chance in 2015 and responded with six sacks in 12 games, but Hardy went unsigned throughout the 2016 season.

After receiving little interest in the free-agent market this time around, he is clearly looking for a new opportunity in the Indoor Football League.