Ndamukong Suh Appeals NFL Suspension, Awaits Hearing
Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions’ defensive tackle, is appealing his two game suspension that stems from an unethical play during the Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers.
NFL Networks reported that Art Shell, an appeal officer, has been appointed to Suh’s hearing. Although a hearing date has yet to be scheduled, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the process will happen quickly in an attempt to reach a decision in time for the Lions’ next game on Sunday.
The incident, which took place on Thanksgiving, involved Suh and Evan Dietrich-Smith, Green Bay Packers’ center. The two briefly wrestled on the ground in the third quarter of the game before the Lions’ DT stomped on his opponent’s arm.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Suh also shoved Dietrich-Smith's head in the ground before being ejected. Instead of leaving the game quietly, Suh proceeded to argue with the referee who had thrown him out of the game.
Suh’s teammate and team union representative, Kyle Vanden Bosch, said he agreed with the DT’s decision to appeal the NFL’s decision.
"As a player, you have to appeal it," Bosch said. "I'm sure the NFLPA will be on his side to make sure that he gets a fair hearing."
However, the league did not seem happy with Suh when handing down his ruling because of his repeated dirty playing tactics.
"It was Suh's fifth violation of on-field rules in the past two seasons that has resulted in league discipline. Suh may not practice or be at the team practice facility for any other activities during the two-game suspension,” the NFL statement read. “He will be reinstated on December 12. Under the CBA, the suspension may be appealed within three business days.”
Despite people labeling him a dirty player, Lions’ coach Jim Schwartz said he is confident Suh has learned his lesson.
"I think for sure he understands the position he put his team in and the position we are in right now," Schwartz said in an NFL report. "He feels a tremendous sense of responsibility for that. There is an accountability for what we do on the field. He is well aware of that and feels a tremendous responsibility."
