The NFL announced on Monday that New England Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski has received a one-game suspension for his late hit that concussed Buffalo Bills defensive back Tre'Davious White.
The NFL ruled that Gronkowski intentionally tackled a “defenseless” player that fell within the “unnecessary roughness” rule. However, Arizona Cardinals star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald voiced that he strongly believes that it was not a play that he deems should have warranted anything more than a hefty fine, according to Dan Grantland of SI.com.
“I don’t particularly like the suspension. I don’t like when the actions of one player affects his team,” Fitzgerald said on Westwood One Radio, as transcribed by ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “Taking him off the field for a complete game is going to really hurt the Patriots. I thought he definitely should have been fined heavily. Those kind of plays really don’t have a place in our game. I think the NFL has done a great job of emphasizing that over the last few years. I don’t agree with the one game suspension, though.”
Fitzgerald is one of the few to come out with that stance concerning the play. The nature of Gronkowski's actions was evident as he clearly took a cheap shot that came well after the play finished.
On top of that, Gronkowski acknowledged that he let his emotions get the best of him in that moment. The 28-year-old appealed the suspension in hopes of playing in Monday's game against the Miami Dolphins, but it was denied.
The Patriots will look to Dwyane Allen to step into the starting role in place of Gronkowski.
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