Former Ole Miss star Greg Hardy of Carolina Panthers arrested, charged with assault

Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, a former Ole Miss star, has 26 sacks combined the last two seasons. (File, AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, a former Ole Miss star, has 26 sacks combined the last two seasons. (File, AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, a former Ole Miss star, has 26 sacks combined the last two seasons. (File, AP Photo/Dave Martin)

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (AP) — Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy has been arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault on a female and communicating threats, according to Charlotte Mecklenburg police.

Police said in a press release Hardy, a former Ole Miss star, turned himself in Tuesday and was transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.

The Panthers said in a statement, “We are very disappointed to learn of the allegations involving Greg and are concerned for all parties as we continue to investigate.”

Greg Hardy
Greg Hardy

Hardy, who signed the team’s franchise tag tender in March and will make $13.116 million this season if he doesn’t sign an extension before July 15, turned himself in Tuesday, according to police. He went before the magistrate and no bond has been issued.

Hardy’s agent Drew Rosenhaus declined comment to The Associated Press.

The 25-year-old Hardy has 26 sacks over the past two seasons with the Panthers, including a franchise record-tying 15 in 2013.

According to the police report, patrol officers responded to a domestic violence assault call for service at 4:18 a.m. Tuesday in Charlotte.

The report states that upon arrival officers spoke to the victim, who advised that she had been physically assaulted and threatened by Hardy. The victim also stated that she and Hardy had been in a relationship since September 2013.

Police obtained warrants for an arrest on Hardy.

The Panthers recently agreed to give Hardy a $1.3 million advance on his franchise tag if he attends the team’s voluntary offseason workouts.

Hardy has been a flamboyant personality since joining the Panthers and regularly refers to himself as the “Kraken,” after a mythical sea creature.

A motorcycle accident before his second season with the team left Hardy with severe skin burns and prevented him from participating in the team’s training camp, although he still made it back for the 2011 season.

He has long been one of the outspoken players in the locker room, predicting a late-season win against Atlanta in 2012.

He has also been one of the most productive the past two seasons, earning him the franchise tag tender even though the Panthers are strapped under the salary cap.

By keeping Hardy, the Panthers were forced to let other free agents walk, including safety Mike Mitchell, cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and wide receivers Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn Jr. and Domenik Hixon. The team also released wide receiver Steve Smith.