Former Pro Bowler Greg Hardy: ‘I’ve never put my hand on any women’

Unsigned NFL free agent Greg Hardy denied ever laying a hand on former girlfriend Nicole Holder, or any other woman, during an ESPN interview on Monday.

“I’ve never put my hand on any women,” Hardy told Adam Schefter, “in my whole entire life, no sir.”

In 2014, Holder accused Hardy of domestic violence against her, including throwing her on furniture covered with assault rifles and choking her.

Hardy, a one-time Pro Bowl defensive end with the Carolina Panthers, was convicted of domestic violence by a judge in North Carolina in 2014 and given 18 months of probation. Charges were dismissed last year when prosecutors were unable to locate Holder, who failed to appear in court.

The NFL conducted its own two-month investigation and concluded that Hardy used physical force against Holder in at least four instances. His punishment was initially a 10-week suspension but was then reduced to four weeks, which he served as a member of the Dallas Cowboys last season.

The clip of the ESPN interview released Monday sheds little light on what actually happened during the incident between Hardy and Holder. When Schefter pointed out that pictures of Holder from that night suggest that there had been some physical conduct, Hardy responded:

“I didn’t say I didn’t do anything wrong. That situation occurred and that situation was handled.”

He added: “Saying I did nothing wrong is a stretch, but saying I’m innocent is correct.”

Schefter then asked Hardy if he ever put his hands on Holder. Hardy replied, “No, sir.”

Los Angeles Times staff writer Sam Farmer contributed to this report.

Twitter: @chewkiii