NFL makes decision on suspended players

An ugly postgame incident between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas Day ultimately resulted in Broncos defensive end Randy Gregory and Rams guard Oday Aboushi being suspended for one game. Both players appealed the suspension, and the NFL has made its ruling on the matter on Tuesday night.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, both Gregory and Aboushi have had their disciplinary actions reduced from a one-game suspension to fines.

NFL announced that appeals officers Derrick Brooks and James Thrash – jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA – have reduced the discipline assessed to Randy Gregory and Oday Aboushi from one-game suspensions to fines of $50,000 for Gregory and $12,000 for Aboushi.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2022

Gregory, who was seemingly the more guilty party of the two, will be fined $50,000, while Aboushi will receive a $12,000 fine.

It was very clearly an emotional and embarrassing loss for the Broncos, which Randy Gregory detailed in his apology for the incident.

“The game was full of emotion and disappointment, and was not a reflection of my character. My goal is to finish out this season strong, play with pride and be part of the solution and not the problem going forward. Thank you,” said Gregory in a portion of his apology.

A mea culpa from Gregory pic.twitter.com/cnlzqx90Of

— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) December 27, 2022

Denver came into the game as three-point favorites over the Rams, but ultimately got beat by a huge margin in a 51-14 loss.

Neither team has all that much to play for at this point in the season, well out of the playoff picture in their respective conferences, so this decision will ultimately not matter all that much for either side.

However, Gregory will avoid what would have been the third time that he has been suspended in his NFL career, previously receiving multiple suspensions for substance abuse violations while previously with the Dallas Cowboys.

[Adam Schefter on Twitter]