Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy has drawn greater ire in the NFL community. Last week, photos of his ex-girlfriend following a domestic violence incident were released on Deadspin. Fans were outraged that Hardy was still playing.
To make matters worse, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stood up for Hardy, who missed the first four games of the season with a suspension, and credited his leadership skills, only outraging football fans further.
To counter the outrage, Eagles fans took action. 94 WIP started a GoFundMe page, raising money for the Genesis Women's Shelter & Support, a Dallas women's shelter for domestic violence victims. The effort was led by Josh Innes and Spike Eskin.
The goal listed on the GoFundMe page was set at $3,000. As of 7 p.m. on Tuesday night, the effort has raised $32,130 in four days.
"Within 15 minutes of that account going up, there was $1,900," senior director of fund and community development Bianca Jackson said to the Dallas Morning Star. "We were like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa.’ It was so unexpected and such a welcome gift for us."
Usually known for their rowdiness and antics in the stands and beyond, Philadelphia sports fans don't normally get recognition for being charitable and supportive of a humane cause such as this. Perhaps this effort will put some of the snowball, battery, vomiting talk to bed.
Considering the rivalry between the Eagles and Cowboys, that says a lot.
"It’s bigger than football. It’s bigger than the rivalry between the Eagles and the Cowboys," Jackson said. "It’s both men and women standing up and saying that this is not OK."
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
