Tag: suspension

Detroit Lions wide receiver Stanley Berryhill practices during warmups before the game vs. the Miami Dolphins at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022.

Lions waive suspended WR Stanley Berryhill, two others

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Wide receiver Stanley Berryhill, who was suspended last month for violating the NFL gambling policy, was waived by the Detroit Lions on Tuesday.

Berryhill, 24, was one of four Lions players investigated by the NFL earlier this year for mobile betting at the team’s facility in Allen Park, Mich.

Two of the players — wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore — were found to have bet on NFL games and were suspended by the NFL through at least the end of the 2023 season. Both were then released by the Lions in April.

Berryhill and another player, 2022 first-round draft pick Jameson Williams, did not bet on NFL games. Both are set to miss the first six games of the season as a consequence of violating the league’s gambling policy.

Berryhill was undrafted in 2022 out of Arizona, where he played 41 games and was an All-Pac-12 selection. After stints with the Atlanta Falcons in training camp and the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, he landed with the Lions, where he played in four games and played 40 snaps — six on offense and 34 on special teams.

Defensive lineman Demetrius Taylor and cornerback Mac McCain were also waived by the Lions Tuesday.

Taylor, an undrafted free agent in 2022, was on the initial 53-man roster out of training camp but was active for only one game, playing 13 defensive snaps against the New England Patriots. He was eventually released and signed to the practice squad for the rest of the season.

McCain played two games for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and spent most of the 2022 season on their practice squad. The Lions picked him up in February.

–Field Level Media

Bengals Amani Bledsoe works on defensive drills during training camp on the. practice fields at Paul Brown Stadium Friday, August 6, 2021. Bengalscampaug6 7

Free agent Amani Bledsoe banned 17 games for repeat PED offense

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Amani Bledsoe, a free agent defensive end who last played in the NFL in 2021, was suspended Thursday for the first 17 weeks of the 2023 season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

Bledsoe was also suspended for the first six games of the 2022 campaign for a PED violation, which was his first ban in the NFL. He will be eligible to return in Week 18, the final week of the regular season.

He also lost a year of eligibility in college at Oklahoma for failing a drug test, though he claimed he accidentally ingested a banned substance via tainted protein powder.

Bledsoe, 25, went undrafted and played 14 games (four starts) for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020. He saw action in five games (two starts) for the Tennessee Titans in 2021. He has 18 career tackles and three pass breakups with no sacks.

Bledsoe had been signed to a futures contract by the Atlanta Falcons after the 2022 season, but he was waived in April.

–Field Level Media

Thompson's Tony Mitchell celebrates after defeating Auburn the AHSAA 7A State Football Championship game at Jordan Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Wednesday November 30, 2022. Thompson31

Police: Suspended Alabama DB was driving 141 mph

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Alabama suspended defensive back Tony Mitchell following a high-speed police chase and an arrest on drug charges.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban announced the suspension Monday “until we gather more information about the situation and what his legal circumstance is.”

Mitchell and a passenger were arrested on March 15 by the Holmes County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to sell and/or deliver.

According to an arrest report obtained by AL.com, Mitchell was clocked at 141 mph during the police pursuit and authorities recovered about 8 ounces of marijuana and $7,000 in cash from the vehicle.

Authorities also recovered a loaded firearm from the vehicle and charged the passenger, Christopher Lewis, with carrying a concealed firearm without a permit.

Alabama opened spring practice Monday without Mitchell, a true freshman and former four-star cornerback from Alabaster, Ala.

“Everybody’s got an opportunity to make choices and decisions,” Saban said. “There’s no such thing as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You’ve got to be responsible for who you’re with, who you’re around and what you do, who you associate yourself with and the situations that you put yourself in.

“It is what it is, but there is cause and effect when you make choices and decisions that put you in bad situations.”

The Crimson Tide open the 2023 season on Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Anthony Grant (10) warms up before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska suspends leading rusher Anthony Grant

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nebraska has suspended running back Anthony Grant for the start of spring practice, new head coach Matt Rhule announced Monday.

Rhule said Grant, who led the Cornhuskers with 915 rushing yards in 2022, is dealing with off-the-field issues and needs to improve his academics to get back on the field.

“Working on academics and general things,” Rhule said. … “That will be day by day. Good kid. Just have to get him going in the right direction.

Grant carried the ball 218 times and scored six touchdowns in 12 games last season, adding 18 catches for 104 yards and earning an honorable-mention All-Big Ten selection.

It was Grant’s first season with the Cornhuskers after he played at Florida State (2018-19) and the New Mexico Military Institute (2020-21).

Rhule also said kick returner and receiver Tommi Hill has been suspended for unspecified reasons, while tight ends Chris Hickman and James Carnie and cornerback Tyreke Johnson have left the team.

The Cornhuskers finished 4-8 overall (3-6 in the Big Ten) last season under former head coach Scott Frost and interim coach Mickey Joseph.

–Field Level Media

***DUP***Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5)/Tennessee defensive back Kamal Hadden(5) is pulled down by Missouri linebacker Chad Bailey (33) during the NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 12, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn. Ut Vs Missouri

Missouri LB Chad Bailey arrested on DWI suspicion, suspended

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Missouri linebacker Chad Bailey was arrested early Sunday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and subsequently was suspended by the school.

Police in Columbia, Mo., booked Bailey at 2:46 a.m. Sunday. The 23-year-old was released on $500 bond, according to online records from the Boone County (Mo.) Sheriff’s Department.

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Bailey had been suspended.

“We are aware of the situation involving Chad Bailey,” Drinkwitz said. “He’s been suspended according to Department of Athletics policy. We have high expectations for all of our student-athletes, on and off the field, and we will follow all departmental and campus policies.”

The Post-Dispatch said police records showed Bailey was pulled over for an expired license plate and lane violation. After a field sobriety test, he was arrested.

Bailey, a defensive captain last season, was set to return to Missouri this fall as a sixth-year senior. Last season, he started 11 games and recorded 57 tackles (8.5 for loss) and 2.5 sacks. He has appeared in 43 games with the Tigers since joining them in 2018.

–Field Level Media

Oct 17, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers safety Sean Chandler (34) reacts after not being able to stop a winning reception by Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) in overtime at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers S Sean Chandler suspended 2 games for PEDs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL suspended Carolina Panthers safety Sean Chandler for two games on Monday for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Chandler, 26, is set to become an unrestricted free agent next week.

The suspension is for the first two games of the 2023 regular season. He is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.

Chandler played in all 17 games in 2022, logging 320 snaps on special teams (second on the team) and 74 snaps on defense. He recorded 19 tackles.

Undrafted out of Temple in 2018, Chandler has recorded 93 tackles, two fumble recoveries and one sack in 64 games (seven starts) with the New York Giants (2018-20) and Panthers.

–Field Level Media

Oct 24, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a catch in the end zone for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

NFL reinstates Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley was reinstated from a year-long suspension by the NFL on Monday.

The league said Ridley was granted full reinstatement, one year after he was suspended for admitting to placing bets on NFL games.

“Ridley, who had been suspended indefinitely since March 2022 for violating the NFL’s gambling policy, is eligible to participate in all team activities, effective immediately,” the NFL said.

The league suspended Ridley last March 7 through at least the 2022 season with the qualifier he could apply for the suspension to be lifted on Feb. 15, 2023.

Ridley admitted to placing $1,500 in wagers on NFL games in 2021. He bet on games between Nov. 23-28, 2021, when he was away from his then-team, the Atlanta Falcons, for personal reasons.

“I don’t have a gambling problem,” Ridley tweeted after the suspension was announced.

The Jaguars acquired Ridley at the trade deadline last Nov. 1, sending a 2023 fifth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-rounder that could potentially become a second-round pick to the Falcons.

“This is an opportunity to add a proven playmaker to our already talented wide receiver room as we continue to build our roster for 2023 and beyond,” Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement at the time.

Ridley, 28, hasn’t played since Week 7 of the 2021 season. He finished that season with 31 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns.

Since being selected No. 26 overall by the Falcons in the 2018 draft, Ridley has 248 catches for 3,342 yards and 28 TDs in 49 games (35 starts).

–Field Level Media

Oct 3, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) tries to catch a pass against the Washington Football Team during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Suspended WR Calvin Ridley applies for reinstatement

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Suspended Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley applied to the NFL for reinstatement on Wednesday, multiple outlets reported.

The league suspended Ridley last March 7 through at least the 2022 season and said he could ask for the suspension to be lifted on Feb. 15, 2023.

Ridley admitted to placing $1,500 in wagers on NFL games in 2021. He bet on games between Nov. 23-28, 2021, when he was away from his then-team, the Atlanta Falcons, for personal reasons.

“I don’t have a gambling problem,” Ridley tweeted after the suspension was announced.

The Jaguars acquired Ridley at the trade deadline last Nov. 1, sending a 2023 fifth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-rounder that could potentially become a second-round pick to the Falcons.

“This is an opportunity to add a proven playmaker to our already talented wide receiver room as we continue to build our roster for 2023 and beyond,” Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement at the time.

Ridley, 28 , hasn’t played since Week 7 of the 2021 season. He finished that season with 31 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns.

Since being selected No. 26 overall by the Falcons in the 2018 draft, Ridley has 248 catches for 3,342 yards and 28 TDs in 49 games (35 starts).

–Field Level Media

Dec 30, 2022; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack helmets during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins in the 2022 Duke's Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

NC State suspends broadcaster for ‘illegal aliens’ remark

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A North Carolina State radio broadcaster has been suspended after making a remark about “illegal aliens” in El Paso, Texas.

Gary Hahn was covering the Wolfpack’s 16-12 loss to Maryland in Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Friday in Charlotte, N.C., when he relayed the score of the Sun Bowl.

“Down among all the illegal aliens in El Paso, it’s UCLA 14 and Pittsburgh 6,” Hahn said.

Learfield Communications, the NC State broadcast rights holder, confirmed Hahn’s indefinite suspension in a statement to ESPN on Friday.

“LEARFIELD has suspended Wolfpack Sports Network Play-by-Play announcer Gary Hahn from his agreement indefinitely following comments made during today’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl radio broadcast,” the company said.

Hahn has worked as the voice of NC State football and men’s basketball since 1991. He is a two-time North Carolina Sportscaster of the Year.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (3) carries the ball against Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gregory (5) in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos’ Randy Gregory, Rams’ Oday Aboushi suspended for fight

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL on Monday suspended Broncos defensive end Randy Gregory and Rams offensive lineman Oday Aboushi one game each without pay following their postgame fight Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.

Video replays showed Gregory, who took the first swing, and Aboushi exchanging punches immediately after Los Angeles wrapped up a 51-14 victory against Denver. Both players were still wearing their helmets at the time and neither appeared to get hurt.

The NFL punished them for violating league rules on unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness.

Gregory, 30, is in his first season with the Broncos after playing parts of five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He missed the entire 2017 and 2019 seasons while serving suspensions for violations of the league’s substance abuse policy.

Aboushi, 31, is in his first season with the Rams following stints with the New York Jets (2014), Houston Texans (2015-16), Seattle Seahawks (2017), Arizona Cardinals (2018), Detroit Lions (2019-20) and Los Angeles Chargers (2021).

–Field Level Media