Buffalo Bills defensive back Sam Franklin will not miss any playing time after hearing officer James Thrash reduced his one-game suspension to a $14,926 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct. The NFL had originally suspended Franklin for what it said was an act of spitting at an opponent during Sunday's 33-30 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
The decision, announced Friday, makes Franklin eligible for Buffalo's next game on Nov. 1 against Baltimore following the team's bye week. Franklin's agent, Harold Lewis, adamantly denied that his client spit on anyone.
Franklin also denied the allegation earlier this week in an Instagram post, writing that he is "not a dirty player" and was defending himself without resorting to spitting. His post included video appearing to show Raiders offensive lineman DJ Glaze striking Franklin in a sensitive area below the waist during an extra-point attempt.
Lewis said Franklin was struck in a similar fashion during a Raiders field-goal attempt earlier in the game. In a separate ruling Thursday, the league upheld a one-game spitting suspension for Franklin's teammate, C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
English (US)·