Dre Greenlaw will miss the Denver Broncosâ tilt against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8 while serving a one-game suspension stemming from his alleged use of threatening language with an NFL official in Week 7 against the New York Giants.
He is not the only Broncos player who was punished in that fracas, and the NFL is standing firm in its decision.
The league already upheld Greenlawâs suspension following the veteranâs appeal.
NFL EVP Sounds Off on Dre Greenlaw
GettyDre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers speaks to the media ahead of Super Bowl LVIII.
NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent argued that Dreenlawâs actions were âselfishâ and have âno place in the game.â
Vincent, who played 15 years in the NFL, said that Greenlaw should have been celebrating Broncos teammates Bo Nix and Wil Lutz, not seeking out an official. He said that referee Brad Allen did not reveal what Greenlaw said, but that they acted based on his recommendation.
Still, Vincent cited âabusiveâ and âthreatening languageâ as the basis for Greenlawâs suspension.
âWeâve been talking about sportsmanship for a few years. Itâs the core of our game. And here, as a player, this is a great moment to celebrate. Celebrate the victory,â Vincent told Mike Florio on âPro Football Talkâ on October 23. âThis is selfish.
âTo run and chase somebody down, just â we’re just better than that. The gameâs better than that. We know thatâs not being coached, and it was â it just rose to that level.â
Greelaw is eligible to return in Week 9, when the Broncos face the Houston Texans.
Broncos Stand Behind Dre Greenlaw
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on against the San Francisco 49ers.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton said the team stands behind Greenlaw. That was after the suspension was upheld. Payton also drew a penalty during the game after he entered the field of play, protesting a defensive pass interference call on cornerback Riley Moss.
Vincent said that questions about what Greenlaw said should be directed at the linebacker and his head coach.
âWe all saw some of the contact, but we really focused in on someone who wasnât even involved in the play,â Vincent said. âThat situation ⦠puts everybody in a bind. Because now youâre in a hearing and youâre the PA, who can defend what we saw? Celebrate the victory. Itâs so hard to win during this time on the game day, and there’s just no place, no place in the game for that.â
Vincent relayed advice from Hall of Fame Willie Lanier to not let the game be a âblood sport.â
ââItâs a sport played by professionals. Everyone wants the same thing. They want to ⦠play hard, have success. Individual [and] team success. But you cannot allow certain things,ââ Vincent said.
âGo at one another in between the whistles and, after the game, you shake hands, you pray together, and you move on to the next week.â
Justin Strnad Fined for Making Contact With NFL Official
GettyJustin Strnad #40 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the New York Jets.
Greenlaw was not the only Broncos player to feel the NFLâs wrath, with linebacker Justin Strnad receiving a fine for making contact with Allen, who was attempting to escape a celebratory swarm around Lutz, before the officialâs interaction with Greenlaw.
âThere was some contact with, I think it was Justin, No. 40, and each one of those are just isolated,â Vincent said. âHeâll be held accountable. So, that will come in fine for him.â
Fortunately for the Broncos, Strnad started the first six games in Greenlawâs place.
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