Bills Lineman Bobby Hart To Appeal One-Game Suspension After Reportedly Striking Titans Coach In The Head
Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Bobby Hart has reportedly decided to appeal the one-game suspension he was issued by the National Football League for allegedly striking a Tennessee Titans coach in the head. The league’s collective bargaining agreement gives the offensive lineman the right to appeal the decision. Hart’s appeal will either be brought before Derrick Brooks or James Thrash, both of whom were jointly appointed by the NFL & NFLPA to rule on appeals regarding on-field discipline of players.
The NFL’s imposed suspension on Hart comes after the Bills’ 41-7 blowout victory on Monday Night Football. The league released a memo that included a letter sent to Hart from NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan, who said that Hart allegedly sought out a Titans player, who remains unnamed, near the tunnel. The offensive lineman swung at the player, but ended up missing and striking a Titans coach in the head.
“As both teams were heading to the tunnel, you walked directly across the field to seek out your opponent,” Runyan said in the letter. “You approached him near the end zone and a coach had to hold you back as others shook hands. Once you and your opponent were in the end zone near the tunnel, you confronted him and immediately swung at him with a closed fist, striking the head of a Tennessee coach. Your aggressive conduct could have caused serious injury and clearly does not reflect the high standards of sportsmanship expected of a professional.”
The NFL had highlighted the league’s rules of unsportsmanlike conduct as part of the issuance of Hart’s suspension. The 28-year-old is a former 2015 seventh-round pick of the New York Jets. Hart spent time on the Titans practice squad in 2021 before the Bills ended up signing him last November. Hart returns to Buffalo for 2022 after signing a one-year deal.
Yahoo Sports has more HERE.
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