Jerry Jones Stands By Greg Hardy After Deadspin Article

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Friday repeated his support for defensive end Greg Hardy after a Deadspin investigative report detailed Hardy's 2014 assault on his ex-girlfriend.  

"We have given Greg a second chance ," Jones said in a statement posted on the team's website. "He is a member of our team and someone who is grateful for the opportunity he has been given to move forward with his life and his career.”

Deadspin on Friday published a report containing photos of bruises it said Hardy allegedly inflicted on ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder during a fight. 

Jones said in his statement that the team hadn't seen the photos prior to Deadspin's publication. “While we did not have access to the photos that became public today, we were and are aware of the serious nature of this incident," he said.

The Cowboys owner has been a champion for Hardy since the beginning of the season. He called the defensive end a "real leader" on the team last month after Hardy got into a heated argument with one of his coaches.

Earlier this week, Hardy persuaded a North Carolina judge  to expunge his criminal record in the domestic assault.

The Cowboys will face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. Considering Jones' support, Hardy likely will be out there on defense for Dallas.

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