The Bills’ spitting scandal has come to a close.
Bills defensive back Sam Franklin got his one-game suspension overturned Friday, winning an appeal to the NFL after the league penalized him for allegedly spitting at an opposing player during Buffalo’s Week 6 win over the Raiders.
Rather than a suspension, the NFL reduced Franklin’s punishment to a $14,926 fine, according to a statement from the league.
The league announced Wednesday that they were suspending Franklin, 30, for one game for seemingly spitting on Las Vegas offensive lineman DJ Glaze after an extra point attempt in the fourth quarter of the Bills’ 33-30 victory.
Video of the play shows the two getting into it following the kick, but it’s unclear whether Franklin actually spat on Glaze.
Upon the suspension being overturned, Franklin’s agents again vehemently denied the spitting allegations, adding that they are “glad” that the ordeal is over.
“As we said from the start, Sam did not and would never spit at an opponent, and there was no evidence that he did,” Franklin’s agents Harold C. Lewis and Christian Addison said in a statement to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. “We’re glad the suspension was overturned and grateful to the hearing officer for a fair and thorough review.
“It’s unfortunate the league suspended Sam in the first place based on an unsupported accusation that received so much undeserved attention, and we hope the outcome is covered just as widely.”
They also brought attention to Glaze’s actions towards Franklin during the play.
“We also hope the league takes a serious look at the opposing player’s conduct, including striking Sam in the groin twice during the game,” the statement added. “We’re glad this is behind him, so Sam can get back to focusing on his teammates and next Sunday.”
The NFL also suspended Franklin’s teammate C.J. Gardner-Johnson for a game after he was ejected for spitting in the same game.
Gardner-Johnson appeared to spit at Raiders tight end Brock Bowers in the third quarter, prompting his ejection.
Unlike Franklin, however, Gardner-Johnson’s suspension was upheld on Thursday.
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