Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson cried Wednesday night while accepting the Echo Award Against Indifference.
Richardson took issue with those who have judged him as indifferent toward defensive end Greg Hardy, who's convicted of domestic violence and is appealing.
"Standing before you tonight, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge an issue weighing heavily on our sport and our society,'' Richardson said. "When it comes to domestic violence, my stance is not one of indifference. I stand firmly against domestic violence, plain and simple. To those who would suggest that we've been too slow to act, I ask that you consider not to be too quick to judge. Over the course of our 20 years, we have worked extremely hard to build an organization of integrity ... I will work hard to continue to earn your trust."
Hardy was excused from practice to meet with his lawyer.
"I'm trying not to bury it. I'm trying not to hide from it as far as dealing with the players,'' Rivera said. "I'm trying to make sure they understand the serious nature of what's happening. But at the same time we do have a job we have to do as well.''
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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun