Embattled NFL star Greg Hardy -- the guy who was suspended for allegedly beating up his girlfriend -- is bragging that he'll never get "played" by a woman ever again. 

And he's making his point with the use of a stripper, gunfire sound effects and marijuana imagery in a rap video obtained by TMZ Sports. 

We've learned ... the Dallas Cowboys defensive end made the video for "I'm Just Me" in late 2014 -- after he was convicted of beating up his GF, throwing her on a bed covered in assault rifles and threatening to kill her. 

Hardy appealed the case -- and his conviction was overturned in 2015 after the alleged victim refused to testify against him in court. 

But during his time in NFL purgatory (he missed most of the 2014 season) Hardy hooked up with rapper Ja Alan to make a video in which Hardy declares to his critics, "What you see is what you get. I'm just me, I'm just real, and that's what I do."

Ja confirms the video was made in late 2014.

Right before Hardy spits his featured verse, a chorus of gunfire rings out. He then raps about women -- saying, "It'll be a cold day in hell before your girl tries to play me."

Interesting, considering Hardy's been under fire this week for several comments he made in which he objectified women (Gisele) and seemingly mocked his own court case by saying he plans to come out "guns blazing" when he returns to the field this week. 

If Hardy was planning to fix his image -- this video sure as hell ain't gonna help. 

We called Hardy for comment -- so far, no word back.