Greg Hardy is back on Twitter
The Story
Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, suspended with pay from the NFL while he awaits a jury trial on misdemeanor domestic violence charges, has reappeared in two places this week — at Bank of America Stadium and on Twitter.
The Facts
– Hardy was found guilty by a district court judge on domestic violence charges, but requested a jury trial that was originally set for November.
– The NFL put him on the commissioner’s exempt list, basically suspending him with pay while he awaits trial.
– After he was suspended, he deleted his popular (and verified) Twitter account.
– The November trial date was postponed into 2015 because of a crowded court docket, assuring Hardy wouldn’t play for the Panthers this season, and most likely ever again.
– Saturday, before the Panthers departed for sub-freezing Minnesota to absorb a 31-13 beating, Hardy visited his former teammates at the stadium for the first time. The inspiration is evident.
– Then, to fight the boredom of being a young man in Charlotte with nothing to do but collect $770,000 a week all fall, Hardy rejoined Twitter as @OverlordKraken.
Quotes
— Greg Hardy (@OverlordKraken) November 29, 2014
//><!--Some didn’t believe the unverified account was Hardy, and they offered some interesting ways for him to prove the account was his. This one amused us.//--><!
.@OverlordKraken hold up 13 million fingers…… — Panther Nation (@PanthersFanLife) November 29, 2014
Finally, Hardy friend and confidant Sammy Curtis (@Captain__Curt) confirmed that the account was Hardy’s, and Hardy posted a picture with a note to his fans on Twitter:
— Greg Hardy (@OverlordKraken) December 2, 2014
C5’s Take
– Hardy needs the spotlight, and if he can’t get it by breaking his team record of 15 sacks in a season, he’ll get it on Twitter, touting his talent and his rap career and showing off his new Bentley. He has tweeted more than 50 times per day so far and is over 1,600 followers already. Welcome back.
– We wonder, though: What’s the over/under on Hardy saying something stupid? Nicole Holder’s attorney is waiting.
– The Panthers (3-8-1) are four games from the merciful end of the season, barring something completely unexpected (like a win at New Orleans Sunday). After that, Carolina will, in essence, release the Kraken.
– It might not be a minute too soon.
pic.twitter.com/kL9L4eAfde — Greg Hardy (@OverlordKraken) November 30, 2014
Photo: Jeff Siner / Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published December 5, 2014 at 6:29 AM with the headline "Greg Hardy is back on Twitter."