Denver Broncos’ Randy Gregory, Los Angeles Rams’ Oday Aboushi, each suspended one game
(updated 2:27 p.m.) Yesterday, the National Football League (NFL) announced that 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.
Following the announcement regarding their suspensions, both parties took to Twitter, Gregory with an apology, and a statement from the Aboushi camp regarding an appeal.
In their postgame dustup … “Gregory and Aboushi were seen getting into an altercation after the game as other players from both sides gathered to exchange pleasantries at midfield. Gregory appeared to strike Aboushi in the helmet, which prompted Aboushi to shove Gregory before the two were separated.” ~ NFL.com
Sunday’s matchup went down at SoFi Stadium with a final score of 51 – 14 in favor of the Rams.
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.
For more on the altercation between Gregory and Aboushi, see the video accompanying this article.
(Source: NFL)
(Cover photo of Randy Gregory and Oday Aboushi, Image credit: Twitter)
Posted by Richard Webster Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
