Hardy cites mix-up, apologizes to fans
The Journal Gazette
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Two days after a police report described James Hardy getting into an alleged altercation with his father, the recent NFL Buffalo Bills second-round draft pick and former Elmhurst High School and Indiana University standout released a statement.
Officers were called to a home in the 2900 block of Weisser Park Avenue just before 1:30 p.m. Sunday by a woman who said a man was fighting with his father in her backyard.
The father was identified as James W. Hardy II. The son, listed as a suspect with his name redacted from the report, was identified in police dispatch logs as 21-year-old James Hardy.
According to the police report, a female witness told police she yelled at the younger Hardy to stop fighting when he produced a black gun. The woman said the younger Hardy left.
“I realize what the public perception could be pertaining to this incident; however, that was not the reality of the situation,” Hardy said in his statement issued to Fort Wayne and Buffalo media. “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 elder Hardy issued a statement Monday when reached by phone.
“Me and my son’s relationship is fine and anything (different) … is not factual. Me and James’ relationship is fine,” he said.
