The Buffalo Bills had not one, but two safeties suspended for spitting against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6. For one, the truth has come out, and his suspension is lifted. Special teams captain and safety Sam Franklin Jr. will pay a fine and miss no games after his successful appeal.
The news was reported by Michael Signora, Senior VP of Football & International Communications, that hearing officer James Thrash reduced the suspension to a $14,926 fine. This means that Franklin Jr. is ready to go for Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens
Bills get Sam Franklin Jr. back for Week 8 after successful suspension appeal
The first of two spitting allegations, for C.J. Gardner-Johnson, was as clear and obvious as any penalty of the past decade. CJGJ spat at TE Brock Bowers between snaps and was caught red-handed. It was so clear, in fact, that the broadcast cameras caught it and he was immediately ejected with innumerable eyewitnesses.
Though Chauncey Gardner-Johnson appealed his suspension, it was obviously unsuccessful. CJGJ will serve his one-game absence against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8, then return to the active roster barring a move by the team.
Prior to his appeal, Gardner-Johnson did publicly apologize for his actions. It did not win him favour with the league.
Sam Franklin Jr.'s situation
The second one spitting suspension was made from far murkier waters. Sam Franklin Jr. was accused of spitting at him after an extra point try, and the league took immediate action.
It wasn't until Franklin took to social media and posted video of the play that the situation came into question. The footage showed him being struck in the groin on the play by a Raiders player, but ends before any altercation occurs.
If footage of that alleged incident exists, it cannot show Franklin spitting. The league's action was either too heavy-handed or outright incorrect, to see the suspension so swiftly reversed.
In the scenario of spitting, any evidence would be an indisputable suspension of a minimum of one game. The NFL's personal conduct rules are clear and explicit on this. At minimum, an absence of proof would be required to successfully appeal.
A favorable resolution for the captain
The Bills had time to review the situation, with their bye week following the incident. In another week, Sam Franklin Jr. would have missed a game without pay for something he may not have done at all.
Though the Buffalo Bills will still be without Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, they'll have their captain back on special teams and defense. Sam Franklin Jr. will be active. With the Baltimore Ravens on the schedule for Week 8, and Lamar Jackson in town, they'll need him.
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