Dre Greenlaw Suspended for Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been suspended for one game by the NFL due to unsportsmanlike conduct towards an official, following Sunday’s victory against the New York Giants. The league announced this on Monday.
According to the NFL statement, Greenlaw “chased referee Brad Allen and verbally threatened him as he was trying to leave the field.”The NFL indicated that Greenlaw violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(b), which prohibits “the use of abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures towards opponents, teammates, officials, or League representatives”.
Greenlaw has three days to appeal his suspension, according to the collective bargaining agreement.
If he doesn’t appeal or if the suspension is upheld, Greenlaw would miss the Broncos’ practices this week and Sunday’s home game against the Dallas Cowboys. The suspension would also cost him a game check in the amount of $192,778.
The game on Sunday marked Greenlaw’s debut with Denver, after signing a three-year, $31.5 million contract in March. He did not play in the preseason or in the first six games of the regular season due to hamstring injuries.
Against the Giants, Greenlaw played 21 plays and finished with six tackles and a quarterback hit, as the Broncos overcame a 19-0 deficit in the fourth quarter to win 33-32 and improve their record to 5-2.
Broncos coach Sean Payton has consistently praised the physicality and athleticism that Greenlaw can bring to the Denver defense. Despite his injuries over the years, Greenlaw, who spent his first six seasons with San Francisco, has been one of the most impactful linebackers in the league, with four seasons of over 80 tackles and 14 passes defended in his career.
