Dale Hansen has worked at WFAA-TV, the CBS affiliate in Dallas, since 1983. In a media landscape where the importance of local sports anchors is dwindling, Hansen remains extremely popular. He’s also allowed to do what many in local TV can’t – voice an opinion. Hansen’s “Unplugged” segments often hit on hot-button topics, and in 2014, his commentary supporting Michael Sam went viral.Wednesday night, Hansen put the Cowboys and Greg Hardy in his crosshairs. Hours after the former Panthers defensive end agreed to a one-year deal that could pay him as much as $13.1 million, Hansen sounded off:
“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.
But the reality is, if Hardy knocks on your front door to take your daughter out for a night on the town, the man you cheer now you would shoot his ass thru the glass.”
Of course, “Hardy beats up women” isn’t an accurate statement in the eyes of the North Carolina legal system. It’s still unclear what happened the night of May 12, and we’ll likely never know. But it’s clear many in Cowboys’ country aren’t all that thrilled with Dallas’ newest star, a sentiment passionately shared by Hansen:
“It was Jason Garrett’s dad, Jim — a former Cowboys scout — who famously said, ‘This isn’t the Boy Scouts; this is professional football.’
Well, it’s not Carolina football, Jim. They let Hardy go. The team that knows him best didn’t want him anymore . But it is your son’s professional football.
It’s the Cowboys’ way now. You taught him well, Jim… you taught him well.”
[feature_headline type=”center” level=”h3″ looks_like=”h3″ icon=”hand-o-down”]WATCH HANSEN’S COMMENTARY
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Is it just possible, GT, that the Panthers know something about this that has not been made public that influenced their decision to release Mr. Hardy?
It sure is possible, but you have no reason to assume it. People decided Hardy is guilty the same time the Ray Rice video came out. That much was made excessively evident. I’m glad this whole thing is over, but I have to say..there’s a lot of people who’ve lost all credibility in my eyes because of their glossing over the facts. I don’t know what happened that night, and neither does anyone reporting on it. But objectivity has all but been diminished in spite of that.
Is it just possible, GT, that the Panthers know something about this that has not been made public that influenced their decision to release Mr. Hardy?
It sure is possible, but you have no reason to assume it. People decided Hardy is guilty the same time the Ray Rice video came out. That much was made excessively evident. I’m glad this whole thing is over, but I have to say..there’s a lot of people who’ve lost all credibility in my eyes because of their glossing over the facts. I don’t know what happened that night, and neither does anyone reporting on it. But objectivity has all but been diminished in spite of that.
Actually, Dave Gettleman, Ron Rivera, and many of the players wanted Hardy back on the team. It was Jerry Richardson who made the decision to not pursue Hardy once he became a free agent.
Actually, Dave Gettleman, Ron Rivera, and many of the players wanted Hardy back on the team. It was Jerry Richardson who made the decision to not pursue Hardy once he became a free agent.