On Tuesday, James Thrash, the NFL’s Appeals Officer for on-Field Player Discipline, denied the one-game suspension appeal of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Because of that, in addition to the outcome of a few other hits that took place in Week 13, it has led to several speculating that Smith-Schuster’s appeal was denied mainly because the Steelers wide receiver stood over Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict after he made contact with him with his helmet in the head and neck area. On Wednesday, however Troy Vincent, the NFL’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations, said during a conference call with the media that taunting was not a factor in the decision to suspend Smith-Schuster.
Vincent Says Taunting Not Considered In Smith-Schuster Suspension, Says Punishments Consistently Fair
