On draft day, the Buffalo Bills claimed to have no concerns over Indiana wide receiver James Hardy's character.
Less than three weeks later, however, the team has already performed public relations damage control after a gun incident involving their second-round draft pick.
"We have spoken to law enforcement officials and they have informed us that they looked into this and have no plans to pursue the matter any further," the Bills said in a statement released after Hardy allegedly pulled a registered gun on his father during an argument in a person's backyard in Fort Wayne, Ind., on May 11.
"We also spoke to James last night and will continue to speak with him, but indications are that this matter has been resolved."
Resolved to the point that Hardy won't be going to jail. As for his reputation, well, that obviously is open to scrutiny and may even have an impact on his rookie contract negotiations.
According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Hardy, 21, pulled a gun on James W. Hardy II during an argument but no one was hurt and the player left before police arrived.
As is policy with suspects, the younger Hardy's name was blacked out of the police report but the player was identified in dispatch logs and the city police chief later confirmed that it was the former Indiana University star that was involved.
Because the father showed no signs of injury, and no charges were pressed, there was no reason to purse the matter further, police told the paper. James Hardy has a permit to carry the firearm.
Hardy also released a statement: "I realize what the public perception could be pertaining to this incident, however that was not the reality of the situation. This situation that has been blown out of proportion has been very hurtful and frustrating for me and my father. There was a misunderstanding and a misinterpretation of the situation.
"I would like to first apologize to the fans of Buffalo and the Bills organization for any distractions this may have caused. I would also like to apologize to my fans in Indiana and the children who look up to me because it has been hard on me and I know it's been equally hard on them to hear something of this nature. I do understand that this opportunity with me being drafted by the Buffalo Bills is a blessing and a privilege and not a right. So I ask that my fans just continue to keep me in your prayers and I will continue to strive to be the best I can be on and off the field."
The police report said Hardy's father acknowledged that he and his son did have an argument and that his son is frequently angry with him for not being around when he was a boy. The elder Hardy was in prison when his son was a boy.
In 2006 while at Indiana University, the junior Hardy was arrested and charged with domestic battery and interfering with reporting of a crime when he allegedly attacked his girlfriend and infant son. Police said the girlfriend had a torn shirt and marks on the side and back of her neck. Charges were dropped after Hardy took part in a pretrial diversion program.
Hardy was also suspended briefly for violating team rules.
Bills chief operating officer Russ Brandon claimed character counts with him.
"It's very important but we feel comfortable with James," Brandon said on draft day. "The issue he had was dismissed. We talked to him at length and we feel very good about James Hardy."
Coach Dick Jauron echoed those sentiments but clearly concerns have been renewed in and outside the team.
"You probably know a good deal about his background," Jauron said of Hardy. "He's done a good job to survive. He's a very strong person. We're comfortable with it and obviously, we'll watch it and he'll watch it, too."
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