The man named Suh strikes again.
The Detroit Lions All-Pro defensive end Ndamukong Suh is without a doubt one of the fiercest defenders in the league today. Over the years, he has gained a reputation for his aggressive style of play, and has even been fined by the NFL on a multitude of occasions for personal fouls, late hits and other penalties. Suh has even been named the league’s most dirtiest player amongst his peers. In a Thanksgiving day game during the 2011 season, Suh stomped on the leg of Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith, which led to hefty fine.
During Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, Suh added another notch to his already shifty reputation. At the start of the 4th quarter, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was rushed at the line of scrimmage and fell to the ground after the throw. While backing up, Suh seemed to purposely step on Rodgers leg. This might have exacerbated a calf injury Rodgers suffered earlier in the game. The league has taken notice and decided to suspend Suh for the Detroit Lions-Dallas Cowboys Wildcard playoff game this weekend.
In a letter to Suh, NFL VP of football operations Merton Hanks wrote:
“You did not respond in the manner of someone who had lost his balance and accidentally contacted another player who was lying on the ground. This illegal contact,specifically the second step and push off with your left foot, clearly could have been avoided.”
Suh has the option to appeal the suspension, which would allow him to play in the big game this weekend but might put him in jeopardy of serving out the suspension if the Lions were to win and advance into the divisional round.
