The NFL on Monday suspended Detroit Lions security Brian Department for one sport with out pay for unsportsmanlike conduct after he struck Kansas Metropolis Chiefs huge receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and set off a short combat Sunday evening.
“Your aggressive, non-football act was solely unwarranted, posed a critical danger of harm, and clearly violated the requirements of conduct and sportsmanship anticipated of NFL gamers,” NFL vp of soccer operations Jon Runyan wrote in a letter to Department. “Your conduct mirrored poorly on the NFL and has no place in our sport.”
Department plans to enchantment the suspension, a supply confirmed to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The enchantment could be heard by a listening to officer collectively appointed by the NFL and the NFL Gamers Affiliation.
Department is about to overlook the Lions' sport subsequent Monday towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and shall be eligible to return to the lively roster the next day.
After Detroit's 30-17 loss at Kansas Metropolis on Sunday evening, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tried to provide Department a high-five as they met close to midfield. Department walked previous Mahomes, and Smith-Schuster took umbrage with the transfer, strolling as much as Department and having just a few phrases with him.
Department responded by placing Smith-Schuster in his facemask, sending him to the bottom.
Smith-Schuster leaped to his toes and went after Department. Chiefs operating again Isiah Pacheco tried to get between them, however Department succeeded in ripping off Smith-Schuster's helmet as dozens of gamers from each groups converged on the scrum.
Finally, coaches and gamers separated the events, they usually lastly left the sphere for the locker room.
“It was a infantile factor, however I am uninterested in individuals doing stuff in between the play and refs do not catch it,” Department stated after the sport. “They be making an attempt to bully me on the market. I ought to have by no means did it. It was infantile.”
Department additionally was fined $23,186 for facemask and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers final month.
Department's plan to enchantment the suspension was first reported by NFL Community.
ESPN's Eric Woodyard and The Related Press contributed to this report.
