Randy Gregory of the Denver Broncos and Oday Aboushi of the Los Angeles Rams have each been suspended without pay for one game for violations of unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness rules following Sunday’s Broncos-Rams game.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the suspensions for violations of Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 which prohibits unsportsmanlike conduct and applies to “any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship” and Rule 12, Section 2, Article 14c which prohibits “striking, swinging at, or clubbing the head, neck, or face of an opponent with the wrist(s), arm(s), elbow(s), or hand(s).”
In letters to the players, Runyan wrote: “As you were walking toward a group of teammates, coaches, and media, you both stopped and swung at each other’s head and/or neck. Your aggressive conduct could have caused serious injury and clearly does not reflect the high standards of sportsmanship expected of a professional.”
Gregory will be eligible to return to the Broncos’ active roster on Monday, January 2, following the team’s January 1 game against Kansas City.
Aboushi will be eligible to return to the Rams’ active roster on Monday, January 2, following the team’s January 1 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Gregory and Aboushi may appeal their suspensions. Any appeal will be heard and decided by either Derrick Brooks or James Thrash, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.
