Lions’ Ndamukong Suh gets hearing from NFL for suspension appeal on Thursday – NFL News
The National Football League has decided to hear on Thursday the appeal made by Detroit Lions’ defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh against his two-game ban without pay, according to reports.
Former Oakland Raiders’ coach Art Shell will serve as the appeals officer.
The ban has prevented Suh from participating in two games and cost him around $165,000.
Suh, who is infamous for his aggressive game-play, was involved in violent treatment with Green Bay Packers’ guard Evan Dietrich-Smith in the week 12 game of the current season. In the third quarter of the game, the referee ejected
him for aggressively tackling and kicking the opponent. Lions lost that game 27-15.
After getting out of the game, he remarked furiously about the incident and said that he did not care what others thought of his actions. However, after severe criticism from his team, fans and the league, he admitted his mistake
terming his behaviour unacceptable.
He also reportedly called the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and apologised to him as well in an anticipation that he would be spared from the penalty.
However, nothing could stop the league from penalising Suh.
“NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks notified Ndamukong Suh today that he has been suspended without pay for the Lions' next two games for his unsportsmanlike conduct in the Lions-Packers game on Thanksgiving
Day," a statement by the NFL said.
Soon after receiving the penalty, Suh decided to appeal the ban. His appeal will be addressed via a conference call.
A spokesperson of the league had said that in order to get the verdict on his appeal before Sunday, the league would try to expedite the process. If Suh wins the appeal, he could play the game on Sunday against New Orleans Saints.
If he misses the game, Lions have a backup plan.
"We do have depth at the defensive tackle position," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said on Wednesday. "Nick Fairley is playing very well, as is Sammie Hill, and Corey Williams (Detroit's other starter) is probably playing the best football
of his career. So we're going to be just fine.”
This is not the first time that Suh has come in the line of fire for his aggressive behaviour. He has been fined before in the season. Earlier, he had said that he had understood the rules of the game properly, but at the same
time was satisfied with his game-play.
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