Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will appeal the $100,000 fine the National Football League (NFL) has imposed on him for his unnecessary roughness penalty in the Detroit Lions' 34-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Suh was fined for blindsiding Vikings center John Sullivan, who is coming back from offseason microfracture knee surgery, with a low hit to the knees. The $100,000 fine is one the largest financial penalties levied against a player for an on-field violation.
"I'm just happy I wasn't hurt," said Sullivan. "There's a reason that play is illegal. It's incredibly dangerous. I just feel fortunate that I'll be playing this week."
Suh will have his appeal heard by either former NFL head coach Ted Cottrell or ex-player Matt Birk (a former Minnesota Viking) with Suh's agents arguing that the $100,000 fine was excessive. Suh, however, has his own history working against him.
Suh's was fined $30,000 in 2012 for kicking Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub in the groin area. In 2011, Suh was fined and suspended two games for stomping Green Bay Packers guard Evan Dietrich-Smith. Suh has also been fined for unnecessary roughing penalties against quarterbacks Andy Dalton, Jay Cutler, and Jake Delhomme.
Quarterback Carson Palmer, whose Arizona Cardinals take on the Lions this weekend, did not feel Suh was intentionally trying to hurt Sullivan.
"I only saw it one time on a highlight and it looked like he was peeling back on a block," said Palmer. "I think, and he's a smart guy and a strong guy, if he was physically trying to injure somebody, he would have. It was just a low block."
-
Wild-card Standings
W
L
PCT
WCGB
Texas Rangers
81
63
.563
-
Tampa Bay Rays
78
65
.545
-
Baltimore Orioles
77
67
.535
1.5
Cleveland Indians
77
68
.531
2.0
New York Yankees
77
68
.531
2.0
Kansas City Royals
77
69
.527
2.5