CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Panthers Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy will spend Tuesday night in jail after being arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault on a female and communicating threats.
Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office Spokeswoman Julia Rush said in an email to The Associated Press Hardy will spend the night in Mecklenburg County jail and will have a court appearance Wednesday morning in Charlotte.
Hardy turned himself in Tuesday and was transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office where he was booked. He appeared before the magistrate where he was not issued bond.
It is normal procedure for suspects in domestic violence cases to be denied bond as part of a 24-hour cooling off period.
The Panthers said in a statement, “We are very disappointed to learn of the allegations involving Greg and are concerned for all parties as we continue to investigate.”
Hardy’s agent Drew Rosenhaus declined comment to The Associated Press.
Hardy signed the team’s franchise tag tender in March and will make $13.116 million this season if he doesn’t sign an extension before July 15.
The 25-year-old Hardy has 26 sacks over the past two seasons with the Panthers, including a franchise-tying 15 in 2013.
According to the police report, patrol officers responded to a domestic violence assault call for service at 4:18 a.m. Tuesday in Charlotte.
The report states that upon arrival officers spoke to the victim, a 24-year-old white female, who advised that she had been physically assaulted and threatened by Hardy. The victim also stated that she and Hardy had been in a relationship since September 2013.
The report also states the victim suffered bruises and scratches, but refused treatment.
After talking with the woman, police obtained warrants to arrest Hardy.
The Panthers recently agreed to give Hardy a $1.3 million advance on his franchise tag if he attends the team’s voluntary offseason workouts.
Hardy has been a flamboyant personality since joining the Panthers and regularly refers to himself as the “Kraken,” after a mythical sea creature.
A motorcycle accident before his second season with the team left Hardy with severe skin burns and prevented him from participating in the team’s training camp, although he still made it back for the 2011 season.
He has long been one of the outspoken players in the locker room, predicting a late-season win against Atlanta in 2012.
He has also been one of the most productive the past two seasons, earning him the franchise tag tender even though the Panthers are strapped under the salary cap.
By keeping Hardy, the Panthers were forced to let other free agents walk, including safety Mike Mitchell, cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and wide receivers Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn Jr. and Domenik Hixon. The team also released wide receiver Steve Smith.
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