Fans react to Panthers' decision to deactivate Greg Hardy

CHARLOTTE – The Carolina Panthers had no choice but to deactivate defensive end Greg Hardy Sunday morning an hour and a half before kickoff against the Detroit Lions.

Four days after longtime Panthers owner Jerry Richardson broke down as he accepted the Echo Foundation Award Against Violence, the Panthers would have sent the wrong message to their fans if Hardy, accused by a district judge of two counts of assault and communicating threats against a female, had been allowed to play. Hardy has appealed that finding and is slated to have a trial by jury Nov. 17.

"I would have been upset if he had been allowed to play,'' long-time Panthers fan Ginny Grenda, 43, told USA TODAY Sports outside Bank of America Stadium Sunday morning. "The NFL must do more to stand up against domestic violence.''

Grenda's husband, Michael felt the Panthers were forced to take a stand under mounting pressure over league-wide discipline.

"I'm a little shocked they deactivated him,'' Grenda said. "I'm glad they took a stand. I'm a little concerned it's a little too late.''

Hardy played in Carolina's season-opening win against Tampa Bay and was supposed to start against the Lions, but his deactivation came against the backdrop of a league embroiled in scandal stemming from Monday's indefinite suspension of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice after the website TMZ.com released graphic casino elevator video of Rice knocking out his then fiance. The Minnesota Vikings swiftly deactivated star tailback Adrian Peterson following his indictment Thursday on a charge of injury to a child. Peterson turned himself into police in Montgomery County, Texas early Saturday morning and was released on $15,000 bond.

Hardy was given a 60-day suspended sentence and 18 months probation.

"I think it had to happen because of the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson situations,'' Shannon Reichler, 54, of Charlotte said. "I was hoping the Panthers would take a stand. I wasn't expecting they would. Domestic violence is an important issue in our country.''

Added Kelly Owens, 40, from Greenville, S.C., "I thought Greg Hardy should be suspended indefinitely. It would have been very sickening if he was allowed to play.''

The Panthers aren't expected to discuss the move until after the game.