The Buffalo Bills organization moved to quell questions surrounding James Hardy by providing a Bills-generated "post-practice interview" with Mr. Hardy on the Bills' website Monday.
Summary: It wasn't what you heard; it's a Fort Wayne thing; Hardy is going to avoid the Fort.
Chris Brown of the Bills wrote:
James Hardy wasn't shy about explaining the events concerning his much publicized altercation with his father on Mother's day weekend, as he came off the field following the Bills first OTA practice Monday.
"A woman came outside and believed something else was happening and it wasn't," said Hardy. "That's why my father didn't know what was going on and honestly I didn't know what was going on until later that evening. I called and let coach (Jauron) know and everybody know what definitely happened and it's definitely in the past right now."
According to published reports Hardy allegedly brandished a firearm during his argument based on a witness, but the Bills rookie wideout dismisses that claim.
"No gun was involved," said Hardy. "I don't know where she got that from. That's something that me and my father discussed. The only problem is I feel even if I'm at home and I feel I have to protect myself he actually convinced me to go get one, but there wasn't one at the time there."
Hardy quickly saw the negative perception the incident created about him publicly and it was troublesome to him that he could not rectify that perception."The only thing is I shouldn't have been there," Hardy admitted. "It sort of feels like every time I go home something negative, I'm always on the end of it. Now I'm in Buffalo and this is the best thing to happen to me since the birth of my son and I just want to get on the right track in Buffalo. This is something that will never happen again and nothing will ever be blown out of proportion again because I will never be in this situation."
As a result of this latest situation Hardy also made it sound as if he will not be spending as much time in his hometown of Fort Wayne, IN moving forward.
"A lot of guys from Fort Wayne they actually never come back and I never understood that growing up," said Hardy. "I felt being in this position I could change that, but it's bigger than me. I have an organization that I have to represent in the best way possible and I just can't put myself in these situations. And now I understand why they don't go back."
Two things that drive young people away and the city council and General Assembly cannot fix:
1. The weather
2. Family issues
Posted by: Robert Enders | May 20, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Ever been to Buffalo? In winter, The Fort is a tropical paradise compared to that city.
Your "family issues" point is well taken though.
Posted by: Brett Hess | May 20, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Seems like a kid with a history of blaming others for his actions. Now he his blaming an entire city. Buffalo can have him.
Posted by: Sam Talarico, Jr. | May 20, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Sam,
I agree, Buffalo can have him.
Brett,
Some people like snow. Such people would probably choose a place closer to the Great Lakes in order to experience the lake effect. When it comes to weather, we could market Fort Wayne as having a "just right" climate.
Posted by: Robert Enders | May 21, 2008 at 10:39 AM