New York Giants' star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been suspended without pay for next Sunday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings for multiple violations of safety-related playing rules in last week's game against the Carolina Panthers.
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.
Other outlets have reported that Beckham will appeal the suspension, and that his appeal will be heard on Wednesday by James Thrash.
Beckham was penalized three times for unnecessary roughness, including a late helmet-to-helmet hit against a defenseless player, defensive back Josh Norman, in which Beckham left his feet prior to contact to spring forward and upward into his opponent, lowered his helmet, initiated forcible contact with his helmet, and struck Norman's head.
According to the NFL's press release, "this 'blindside block' was particularly flagrant because Beckham, with a 10-yard running start, had an unobstructed path to his opponent, the position of the opponent was not impacted by any other player, and the contact with the head/neck was avoidable."
The suspension was imposed by NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks, who ruled that Beckham's actions placed his opponents at unnecessary risk of injury and should have been avoided.
In a letter to Beckham, Hanks noted, "At numerous times during yesterday's game against the Carolina Panthers, your actions placed a fellow player at unnecessary risk…and clearly did not represent the high standards of sportsmanship expected."
Beckham will not be permitted this week to attend team meetings and functions; attend or watch practices; appear at the club's facilities for any reason; attend press conferences; appear at the team's December 27 game; or have contact with any club personnel except to arrange off-site medical treatment or rehabilitation. Beckham will be reinstated on Monday, December 28.
The conduct of other players in the Panthers-Giants game also is being reviewed for potential discipline in the form of fines.
Should Beckham lose his appeal, the Giants' offense will be without its most dynamic playmaker in the midst of a tight division race with Washington and Philadelphia.
The Giants enter Week 16 one game behind Washington in the NFC East. New York is currently tied with Philadelphia, whom the Giants will face in Week 17. The Giants can still win the division title, but will need to win their remaining two games and get help along the way.
The Giants will be playing a highly-motivated opponent too, as the Vikings will clinch a playoff berth this weekend with a win. Additionally, if Minnesota wins this week and defeats Green Bay in Week 17, the Vikings will win the NFC North division title.
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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