It didn't come as a shocker Friday that Detroit Lions' defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh's appeal has been denied. Suh was suspended two games earlier in the week for stomping on Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith in their Thanksgiving loss last Thursday.
The NFL and the Player's Association recently hired Art Shell to hear such cases and he ruled that the suspension would not be overturned and Suh will sit out the next two games against New Orleans and at home against the Minnesota Vikings.
Suh was ejected from their annual Thanksgiving game against the Packers eight days ago after a scuffle with Dietrich-Smith, which led to Suh stomping on him while he was still laying on the ground.
The NFL handed down the suspension on Tuesday and Suh immediately appealed, but there was no doubt that it would not be overturned. The NFL has frowned upon players doing such things, especially after the incident between then-Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and then-Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Andre Gurode. During the game, Haynesworth stomped on Gurode's head while he was still laying on the ground.
Haynesworth was suspended five games for his actions and figured to not appeal his suspension.
Dietrich-Smith's teammate, running back Ryan Grant, said that Suh's suspension was not enough and that Suh "got off easy".
In the Lions' 27-15 loss to the undefeated Packers, Suh was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and was then ejected during the third quarter for the scuffle. A replay showed that Suh, last year's defensive rookie of the year, pushed Dietrich-Smith's head into the ground multiple times before eventually stomping on him.After the game, Suh told reporters, "I want to apologize to my teammates, my coaches and my true fans for allowing the refs to have an opportunity to take me out of this game. What I did was remove myself from the situation the best way I felt, with me being held down."
However, Suh would also go on to say that he didn't mean to stomp on the lineman and he was simply just trying to keep his balance while fleeing from the scuffle.
"My intention was not to kick anybody, as I did not, removing myself. I was on top of a guy, being pulled down, and trying to get up off the ground," Suh said. "And why you see me pushing his helmet down, because I'm trying to remove myself from the situation, and as I'm getting up, I'm getting pushed, so I'm getting myself on balance."
While watching the replay, it is one-hundred percent clear that Suh was not trying to "keep his balance", but it looked like he was intentionally trying to cause Dietrich-Smith harm. But, a player in that position is not going to come out and say that, as it would only lead to more trouble. Thus, Suh said that it was just a misunderstanding.
After the game, the so-called victim, Dietrich-Smith, wouldn't say if it was a dirty play.
"Stuff happens," he said.
Since 2010, Suh is tied with teammate Cliff Avril for the most personal fouls, with seven. Eagles defensive lineman Jason Babin has six.
Suh will be able to come in Week 15 when the Lions take on the Raiders in Oakland.
