Bills safety Sam Franklin’s spitting suspension reduced to fine after appeal

Appeal overturns Franklin’s suspension

Buffalo Bills defensive back Sam Franklin won his appeal of an NFL one-game suspension for spitting at an opponent. Hearing officer Hames Thrash reduced the penalty to a $14,926 fine, meaning Franklin will remain eligible to play in Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Original penalty followed Week 6 incident

The NFL suspended Franklin for one game after Buffalo’s 33-30 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, citing an “act of unsportsmanlike conduct.” Franklin denied that he spat at a Raiders player and posted a video on social media before appealing. His agents also issued a statement after the appeal decision.

Separate ejection involved Gardner-Johnson

The Franklin ruling concerned a different disciplinary matter from the incident involving Bills veteran CJ Gardner-Johnson, who was ejected from the same game for allegedly spitting at Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. The NFL subsequently suspended Gardner-Johnson for one game. The reviewed reporting did not state whether his penalty was changed on appeal.

Franklin eligible for Week 8

Buffalo has a bye in Week 7, leaving Franklin available for the Bills’ next game against Baltimore. The appeal ruling removes the suspension for that matchup while retaining a monetary penalty.