Lions Center Dominic Raiola Suspended For Dirty Play

22 Dec, 2014

Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola has been suspended for one game after he stomped on Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson on Sunday.

The punishment was handed down by Merton Hanks, the NFL’s Vice President of Football Operations, comes following Raiola’s sixth rules violation related to player safety.

FOX Sports NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira explains why he thinks the suspension was merited in the video above from Sunday.

The Lions play the Green Bay Packers in the season finale Sunday with the NFC North division title at stake. Raiola can appeal the suspension, but until then he cannot attend team meetings, practices nor have any contact other than that related to offsite medical care. FOX Sports 1 NFL insider Mike Garafolo reported that Raiola was expected to appeal.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell said he spoke with Raiola on Monday about the incident.

“Obviously, I took a good look at it, both the coaches and also the television copy as well,” Caldwell said earlier Monday. “I believe what Dom told me, that it was inadvertent, but I can also see why obviously it’s being reviewed by the league and everybody’s taking a real good look at it. You can also see the other side of that as well.”

Fox Sports 

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