Greg Hardy: CFL Will Not Be an Option, League and Roughriders Coach Disagree About Who Made Decision

Greg Hardy has not found employment in the NFL yet, coming off last season where he was often defiant (you know, like a team leader would be) in his return to action with the Dallas Cowboys. Hardy had been placed on the commissioner’s exempt list during the 2014 season in the aftermath of his domestic violence conviction (later reversed on re-trial when the accuser no longer cooperated.) He then served a 4-game suspension at the outset of last season.

So far, teams are no longer willing to tolerate Hardy (or don’t think he’s enough of a difference maker anymore to tolerate him). He worked out with Jacksonville, but was not offered a contract. When Junior Galette (who was not without his own off-field incidents) was lost for the season again, there were early reports that Washington might be interested. Others have come out to say that’s not true.

And now, it appears that Canada does not want to import the former all-pro either. Saskatchewan Roughriders coach and GM Chris Jones confirmed yesterday that Hardy would not be joining the team.

"“Greg Hardy inquired to us back during camp and it was about a six-hour discussion,” Jones said, according to CBC.ca. “The league made their ruling on it and we moved on.” “He was interested in coming up. I inquired with the league. The league made their ruling, and you can talk to (CFL commissioner) Jeffrey Orridge and those guys if you need to have more info on it,” Jones later added. "

The league disputes that it barred Hardy directly, stating: “The decision whether to pursue a player rests with the organization. And in this case, while the league did discuss the matter with the Riders, it was ultimately the organization’s decision to not place Hardy on the Riders’ negotiation list in May.”

Sportsnet had earlier reported that the league barred Saskatchewan from adding Hardy to the exclusive negotiation list, similar to what Jones said.

Regardless, it looks like going north won’t be an option for Hardy if he wants to continue to play football.