The NFL didn't waste any time in handing out discipline to Detroit Lions offensive lineman Dominic Raiola, suspending him for Week 17 after he was caught on camera stomping on the ankle of Chicago Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson on Sunday afternoon.
The incident, which Raiola insisted was an accident, caused a firestorm of controversy during the game on Twitter. Numerous NFL commentators said that the center should be suspended rather than fined, and the NFL apparently agreed.
Raiola will appeal the suspension, and with the Lions’ game against the Green Bay Packers determining which team will win the NFC North, the NFL will expedite the appeals process and hold a hearing on Wednesday.
This isn’t the first time this season that Raiola has drawn the attention of the NFL for dirty play. On the final play of the Lions’ game against the New England Patriots in November, Raiola went after the knees of Patriots defensive lineman Zach Moore as Matthew Stafford took a knee.
According to the league, this is the sixth safety-related incident that has involved Raiola during his NFL career.
