The National Football League (NFL) has officially banned Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Teair Tart for one game for stomping on the back of a Cleveland Browns player’s leg.
Tart appealed the ban. But on Friday, the NFL upheld it, TMZ reports.
NFL Upholds Tart’s Ban
The stomping incident happened on video, and there’s no two ways about it, Tart definitely drove his spike directly into the Browns player’s hamstring.
Hearing officer James Thrash heard Tart’s appeal, according to NBC Sports. Both the NFL and the NFL Players’ Association appointed Thrash.
Tart received a citation for unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan said the fact that it was a non-football act was another reason for the suspension, the Tennessean reports.
The incident happened during the second quarter of last Sunday’s game between the Browns and the Titans. Tart had missed a play in the backfield, and on his way back up the field, he pulled a one-legged leap onto Cleveland lineman Wyatt Teller.
Suspension Without Pay
Teller was not injured in the incident. But Tart is banned from playing in the Titans’ game against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday.
The Titans lost the game to the Browns.
The 6-foot, 290-pound lineman has two tackles and two quarterback hits so far this season over the course of five games. He has played 22 or more snaps during those games.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said Thursday that he didn’t believe Tart “did anything malicious” to Teller.
The NFL also suspended Bengals strong safety Shawn Williams for gratuitously stepping on an opponent. The suspensions are without pay.
Williams stepped on Miami guard Solomon Kindley during the last minute of the first half of Cincinnati’s away game last Sunday, per USA Today. He got thrown out after the resulting fight.
Williams will be out for Cincinnati’s game against Dallas this upcoming Sunday.
