Newz(AP) — Buffalo Bills defensive back Sam Franklin appealed the NFL's decision to suspend him for one game without pay for allegedly spitting at a Raiders opponent during a game last weekend, the player's agent said on Wednesday.The appeal was launched within hours of the NFL issuing the suspension, with a hearing scheduled to take place on Thursday.“We adamantly deny Sam spit on anyone,” Franklin's agent Harold Lewis told The Associated Press by phone. “We look forward to the process to fully exonerate him tomorrow at the hearing and (provide him) the apology he deserves.”Franklin also denied the allegation in a message posted on his Instagram account, saying he's “not a dirty player."He said he was defending himself without resorting to spitting at anyone. His social media post included a video showing Las Vegas offensive lineman Delmar Glaze appearing to strike Franklin in a sensitive area below the waist during the Raiders' successful extra-point attempt in Buffalo’s 33-30 win.Without providing details or video evidence, the NFL said it disciplined Franklin for violating its sportsmanship rules after determining he spit at an opponent following the extra-point attempt with 1:32 remaining.Lewis said Franklin was also struck in a similar fashion during a Raiders’ successful field-goal attempt earlier in the game.The appeal is tentatively scheduled to be heard by former player James Thrash, one of four people jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA to handle the appeals process.
It's unclear how long it will take Thrash to issue a ruling.The Bills (5-1) have a bye weekend and Franklin's suspension was set to begin Monday and run through Nov. 2, a day after Buffalo hosts the Baltimore Ravens.Franklin is a special teams ace and joins Bills starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in getting a one-game suspension for spitting in the direction of Raiders players.Gardner-Johnson was ejected for his action during the second quarter, which was captured by TV cameras and replayed during the broadcast.
Following the game, Gardner-Johnson apologized to his teammates. He also told reporters, “I’ll take my consequences,” while adding that he has to be better at controlling his emotions.Franklin, meanwhile, was not initially penalized following the play.A video posted on social media by an NFL Network reporter shows a scuffle occurring following the success… (AP) — Buffalo Bills defensive back Sam Franklin has appealed the NFL's decision to suspend him for one game without pay for allegedly spitting at a Raiders opponent during a game last weekend, a person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on Wednesday.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the appeals process is not public.
The appeal was filed the same day the NFL announced its disciplinary action, making Franklin the second Bills player to be suspended for spitting during their game Sunday in Las Vegas.Franklin denied the allegation in a message posted on his Instagram account, saying he's “not a dirty player."He said he was defending himself without resorting to spitting at anyone. The Bills (5-1) have a bye weekend and Franklin's suspension was set to begin Monday and run through Nov. 2, a day after the Bills host the Baltimore Ravens.Under the collective bargaining agreement, appeals will be heard by one of four people — former players Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson and James Thrash, or former coach Ron Rivera — who were jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA.Franklin is a special teams ace and joins Bills starting safety C.J.
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