by Hunter Dawkins, Owner/Publisher – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm
NEW YORK (GG) — Last week two Mississippi born professional football players were suspended for different league violations listed in a statement released by the National Football League.
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (from Gulfport) was suspended without pay for one game for an act of unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct during last Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
During the first quarter, Hall unnecessarily stepped on the leg of Rams guard Kevin Dotson at the end of a play while he was on the ground, violating Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8, which prohibits unnecessary roughness and Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to unsportsmanlike conduct, including “any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.”
Hall will be eligible to return to the Seahawks’ active roster on Monday, Dec. 29, following the team’s Dec. 28 game against the Carolina Panthers.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (from Oxford) was suspended without pay for two games for conduct detrimental to the NFL for initiating a physical confrontation with a fan during Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions.
Metcalf’s actions violate league policy, which specifies that “players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day and…if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable.”
Metcalf will be eligible to return to the Steelers’ active roster on Monday, Jan. 5, following the team’s games in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns and Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Hall may appeal the suspension. Any appeal will be heard and decided upon by either Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline. Additionally, Metcalf may appeal the suspension. A prompt hearing will be held by the Commissioner or his designee.
