Suh Fine Appeal For Hit On Sullivan Denied

Sep 8, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Do you remember that play where Suh got in a cheap hit on a player for the opposing team?  Oh, you need it to be more specific?  How about the one during the Lions week 2 contest against the Minnesota Vikings where he hit center John Sullivan with a low block that nearly took out his knee?  Yeah, that one!

Aug 15, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) during a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Well, Suh was hit with a $100,000 fine for that hit which he and his agent promptly appealed.  That appeal was denied by the NFL.  That news was given by Suh’s agent Roosevelt Barnes, who told The Associated Press he was notified Friday of the appeal officer’s decision. As a result of the denial, the largest fine in the history of the NFL for on-field play belongs to Suh.

Barnes had some words to say to The Associated Press about his disappointment in the decision to deny the appeal:

“We’re disappointed that Ndamukong was fined at all and that it wasn’t reduced. It is clear from the film, when you slow it down frame by frame, that Ndamukong was clearly in front of the player and that his head and shoulder, when he started off blocking him, were above the player’s waist. But because Ndamukong left his feet, he was going to hit the ground and was going to get tangled on the lower part of the player’s body.”

Suh’s agent Barnes added that despite the fine, Suh is still a candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year:

“I guess the NFL is still trying to send a message with this fine. I just hope this doesn’t hurt his chances of being the defensive player of the year because he’s playing like one this season.”