Marshawn Lynch Suspended One Game For Unsportsmanlike Conduct – NFL Explains Why
In this press release, the National Football League (NFL) explains why Oakland Raiders Running Back Marshawn Lynch was suspended for one game:
MARSHAWN LYNCH SUSPENDED ONE GAME
FOR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
MARSHAWN LYNCH of the Oakland Raiders has been suspended without pay for one game for unsportsmanlike conduct in Thursday night’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations JON RUNYAN issued the suspension for a violation of Rule 12, Section 3, which states that “There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct. This applies to any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.”
Lynch also specifically violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (g) which prohibits “unnecessary physical contact with a game official.”
In his letter to Lynch, Runyan wrote:
“You made deliberate physical contact with one of our game officials as he was diffusing an active confrontation between players. You were disqualified for your inappropriate and unsportsmanlike actions. Your conduct included pushing the game official and grabbing his jersey…You were not directly involved in the active confrontation that the game official was attempting to diffuse, nor were you a participant in the play that initiated the confrontation. You were the only player from either team who ran from the sideline to midfield to insert himself into a situation in which he was not directly involved.”
Lynch will be eligible to return to the Raiders’ active roster on Monday, October 30 following the team’s October 29 game against the Buffalo Bills.
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.
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