Jaguars’ Leonard Fournette suspended for brawling during Buffalo Bills’ game
On November 26, the NFL released word that Leonard Fournette of the Jacksonville Jaguars was suspended without pay for one game for violations of unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness rules in Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the suspension for a violation of Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which prohibits unsportsmanlike conduct, including using abusive, threatening or insulting gestures to opponents and using baiting or taunting acts that may engender ill will between teams; Rule 12, Section 2, Article 12, which prohibits striking an opponent; and Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(a), which prohibits throwing a punch at an opponent, even if no contact is made.
In his letter to Fournette, Runyan wrote:
“Sportsmanship is the cornerstone of the game and the League will not tolerate game-related misconduct that conveys a lack of respect for the game itself and those involved in it… Video of the incident shows that you were not a participant in the play and that you ran from your sideline to the opposite side of the field to insert yourself as an active participant in a fight. Once you entered the fight area, you struck a member of the opposing team. Your actions adversely reflected on the NFL and have no place in the game.”
Fournette will be eligible to return to the Jaguars’ active roster on Monday, December 3 following the team’s December 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts.
On November 25, following the game, Fournette showed some class when he tweeted:
Just want to apologize to the fans and kids out there was totally out of character was in the heat of the moment in a important game, emotions got the best of me apologize again to you all….
HotNewHipHop and ESPN reported that the offense occurred in the third quarter of Jacksonville’s 24-21 loss in Buffalo, when Jags’ receiver Dede Westbrook pushed Bills’ safety Micah Hyde in the end-zone. A brawl ensued, and Fournette came off the sidelines to throw a punch at Bills’ defensive end Shaq Lawson.
“You are going to have to rise up and also protect your own,” Fournette said, according to ESPN. “At the same time, you can’t have that. I apologize to all the kids who look up to me and their parents. The biggest thing is this loss (is) totally on me. I take (full responsibility).”
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the suspension may be appealed within three business days. Appeals are heard and decided by either Derrick Brooks or James Thrash, the officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.
You can see the flag and the players being separated during that brawl in the video below.
https://youtu.be/z6YMng7IIaE
(Source: NFL)
~ Posted by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
