Rob Gronkowski Will Get a One Game Suspension For Body Slamming Tre’Davious White’s Head
Gronk's actions in the Bills/Patriots game "were not incidental," the NFL says.
Photo via AP/Adrian Kraus
It seemed pretty clear this morning that Rob Gronkowski would have to pay for his behavior in Sunday’s Patriots/Bills game, and now we know what that punishment will be. The NFL has just ruled that he will be suspended for one game for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Gronk and Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White had been bumping into each other on a play, and Gronkowski later expressed frustration that White didn’t also get a penalty for shoving him. But after White pulled off a rare Brady interception, he apparently snapped. In video, Gronk can be seen lashing out, diving arm-first into the White, who lay on the grass, and driving 265 pounds of Gronk into the back of his helmeted skull. White had to leave the game and has entered the concussion protocol.
this is disgusting from gronk pic.twitter.com/jd6x17lkiO
— Max Wildstein (@MaxWildstein) December 3, 2017
“Your actions were not incidental, could have been avoided and placed the opposing player at risk of serious injury,” wrote NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan in a letter to the Patriots tight end. “The Competition Committee has clearly expressed its goal of ‘eliminating flagrant hits that have no place in our game.’ Those hits include the game you were involved in yesterday.”
Gronk –> pic.twitter.com/2lpnDZMT8e
— David Wade (@davidwade) December 4, 2017
The punishment calls for Gronkowski to have to sit out Monday’s match-up with the Dolphins. He has three days to appeal, and he apparently plans to do just that.
After the game, Gronk apologized, and told reporters he had been “frustrated” about what he thought were unfair calls from referees.
Here’s the holding that drove Gronk over the edge pic.twitter.com/vxvNqD1iqc
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) December 4, 2017
“It just happened naturally through emotions and frustration,” he told reporters. “I don’t really believe in those types of shots like that, but just due to frustration and the game of football, emotions, that’s what happened.”
Gronk apologizes to #Bills rookie @TreWhite16 & criticizes officiating: pic.twitter.com/RI6xpJrdqy
— Jonah Javad (@JonahJavad) December 3, 2017
