After acting like the Grinch for nearly the entire 2015 NFL season, Greg Hardy's heart finally may have grown three sizes in one day.

Now, Cowboys public relations folks just need to help along his thinking.

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The embattled Cowboys defensive end made his first appearance volunteering his time in the community over the weekend, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Hardy helped with a winter coat drive in south Dallas before the team's game Saturday night against the Jets. It was Hardy who asked the team to allow him to skip its morning walk-through to take part in the event that assisted children associated with a foster care facility in DeSoto, Texas, according to the Star-Telegram.

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Hardy did make one critical statement about his naysayers who don't believe he should be allowed to play.

"That is part of the blessing," Hardy said. "I have been blessed a lot. Being able to come back and do this. This is some of the stuff I missed when stuff like that happens to me. People don't want you to do good stuff in my situation and that sucks. Not only do I suffer, but the kids suffer. It sucks."

Never mind the fact that Hardy's critics all have been waiting for him to do something -- anything -- positive. He finally did something in his community.

Hardy and the Cowboys have faced heavy criticism since photos were posted of the woman whom Hardy was found guilty of assaulting and communicating threats in 2014. The photos of the woman allegedly were taken a day after the domestic violence incident.

Hardy, who missed the entire 2014 season and was released by the Panthers, signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys worth $11 million. He was suspended the first four games of the season under the NFL's conduct policy. When Hardy made his return, he showed virtually no remorse for his actions and made more negative news.

"Hardy has gotten into a verbal spat with a teammate, made an ill-advised social media post making light of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks during the draft, had questionable comments about Tom Brady's wife and has been late to practice," according to the Star-Telegram.

A far more humble Hardy was on display at the coat drive.

"I'm Greg Hardy, it's a pleasure to be here," Hardy told the crowd at the University of North Texas in Dallas. "I'm really grateful to have this opportunity. ... To have understanding coaches, understanding organization, understanding Texas ... Dallas, Texas, behind me is a wonderful thing.

"You don't always get second chances, so I'm grateful and honored that I can come here today and give back to all these people -- all these great people. This is amazing. This is what I love -- to give back. It's what I appreciate about the game."

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