Hardy insists he didn't strike ex-girlfriend: 'I've never put my hand on any women'

Free-agent defensive end Greg Hardy insisted he didn't strike his ex-girlfriend in an excerpt from an upcoming interview with ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Hardy reached a civil settlement with his ex-girlfriend after the alleged victim failed to appear in court, after he was initially sentenced to 18 months probation. The defensive end was placed on the commissioner's exempt list for the vast majority of the 2014 season, while a member of the Carolina Panthers.

Subsequently, Hardy signed a one-year, $11.3-million contract with the Dallas Cowboys last March.

Last April, Hardy was suspended 10 games, but the suspension was reduced to four games in July upon going through arbitration. Although photographic evidence obtained by Deadspin revealed bruises on Hardy's ex-girlfriend's arm, back, chin, hand, and elbow, the defensive end denied striking her.

"I've never put my hand on any women … In my whole entire life, no Sir. That's just not how we're raised," Hardy said. "As you can tell, like I said again, it's the Bible Belt. It's just something that's, I wouldn't even say frowned upon, just something that’s nonexistent in most southern homes."

Schefter reiterated that the photos of the victim suggested physical contract occurred, and Hardy responded that while he wasn't absolved of any wrongdoing, he didn't strike his ex-girlfriend.

"I will stop you there and say that I didn’t say that I didn't do anything wrong," Hardy said. "That situation occurred and that situation was handled but … saying that I did nothing wrong is a stretch but saying I am innocent is correct. Yes sir."

Although he's one of the premier defensive ends on the market, Hardy remains unsigned in large part due to his erratic on-field conduct and alleged off-field indiscretions. Hardy recorded six sacks in 12 games with the Cowboys in 2015.