Buffalo Bills safety Sam Franklin Jr. maintains he did not spit on a Raiders player during last week’s game in Las Vegas. He is appealing the NFL’s one-game, unpaid suspension, sources told ESPN and The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The appeals process is not public. However, under the collective bargaining agreement, appeals are heard by one of four people: former players Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson and James Thrash, or former coach Ron Rivera. The NFL and NFLPA jointly appointed the panel.
Franklin reportedly filed his appeal the same day the NFL announced its disciplinary action. According to the league, “Franklin will be suspended one game without pay because of an incident that occurred with 1:32 remaining” in Buffalo’s 33-30 win last week.
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Franklin is now the second Bills player to be suspended by the league for a spitting-related incident stemming from Week 6.
Fellow Buffalo defensive back, C.J. Gardner-Johnson also received a one-game suspension after the league determined spitting in the direction of Raiders players. Gardner-Johnson, who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, appeared to spit in the direction of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers.
In both cases, the suspensions were issued after the players were found to have violated NFL Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which outlines discipline for any act that is “contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.” Other details surrounding Franklin’s discipline were not immediately revealed by the league.
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Franklin denied the allegation in a message posted on his Instagram account, saying he’s “Not a dirty play what so ever! Will always defend myself though. Still won’t spit on anyone.” His social media post included a slow-motion replay 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 what was ultimately a Bills victory.
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The clip ends before the play is over and does not show any of Franklin’s retaliation. It is not clear whether Franklin spit at anyone.
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The timing of the appeals hearing was not immediately available. The Bills 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.
As for Gardner-Johnson, the safety 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 successful PAT, with Glaze blocking Bills linebacker Michael Hoecht while at the same time pulling Franklin’s undershirt. Franklin responded by shoving Glaze from the side. Glaze then turned to Franklin and appeared to shove the Bills player’s helmet.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.