According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is facing disciplinary action from the NFL for delivering a low hit on Vikings center John Sullivan Sunday.
Lions DT Ndamukong Suh is facing NFL discipline for diving at the knee of Vikings C John Sullivan.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 9, 2013
The play in question occurred in during an interception by Detroit linebacker DeAndre Levy who returned it for a touchdown. However during the return Suh delivered a low block on Sullivan who was well out of the play resulting in the touchdown being nullified and a 15-yard personal foul penalty for the Lions.
Suh though claims that the low block wasn’t intentional:
“I wasn’t by any means going for his knees,” Suh said following Detroit’s 34-24 victory. “He knows that. We had a great conversation running out at halftime, and he understood. My aim was his waist to cut him off.”
Sullivan said he didn’t see Suh coming was surprised that he wasn’t injured on the play and called the hit ‘bad’ while Vikings defensive end Jared Allen also voiced his displeasure on the play:
“[Suh] is a good dude, but that’s uncalled for,” Allen said. “This is a fraternity. In the NFL, you try to take care of guys. Things happen, and guys are going to make hits. But you can’t take a dude’s legs out from behind on an interception return down the field.”
Whether Suh or the fans think he’s a dirty player or not everyone has to come to an understanding, Suh has a well deserved reputation and won’t get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to something like this. The stomp against Green Bay and the kick last year against Houston are all examples as to why Suh will continue to be treated differently in the the League.
Suh as well as the rest of the team is lucky this didn’t end up costing them the game since I’m sure a 7 point loss would have fans up in arms about another dirty Suh play.
