Dallas TV anchor rips Cowboys for signing Greg Hardy

The Dallas Cowboys surely anticipated they’d come under fire for signing defensive end Greg Hardy, who is facing a potential suspension for violating the NFL’s domestic violence policy.

On Wednesday, they got it from local sports anchor Dale Hansen of WFAA after the team signed Hardy to a one-year deal worth as much as $13.1 million despite the fact that he’d been previously convicted in North Carolina on domestic-violence charges.

A conviction which was later thrown out on appeal when his accuser could no longer be found to testify.

“Is there no line you won’t cross? Is there no crime you won’t accept? Is there no behavior you won’t tolerate?” Hansen asked of those who feel Hardy’s performance on the field overrules his past.

Hardy, 26, played in just one game last season for the Carolina Panthers before he was put on the commissioner’s exempt list after his initial conviction. The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder had 194 tackles and 33 sacks in four years with the Panthers with 15 of those quarterback takedowns coming in 2013.

“I don’t care how good he is,” said Hansen in a three-minute segment dedicated to ripping “America’s Team.” “I don’t care if the Cowboys made a great deal. And I absolutely don’t care about the argument so many of you make that what he does off the field just doesn’t matter if he can help you win on the field.”

Ultimately, the organization decided that a player with Hardy’s talent would be worth the public relations hit.

“We have spent a great deal of time over the last two days in meeting with Greg directly and gaining a solid understanding of what he is all about as a person and as a football player,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “A thorough background review of him, involving many elements of our organization, has been ongoing for the last few weeks.”

Said Hansen: “Greg Hardy’s jersey is being sold at the Cowboys online pro shop now. You could get one for your sister or daughter and then explain to her that Hardy beats up women, but we’re cheering him now because he’s really good on game day, and game day is all that really matters to me. Your daughter will understand.”

Twitter: @mattwilhalme