Rob Gronkowski Suspended One Game For His Late Hit On Defenseless Bills’ Defender

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Rob Gronkowski was suspended by the NFL for the first time in his seven year career after his late hit on defenseless Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White in Sunday’s 23-3 win, ESPN reports.

Gronk, who lost his cool after being held by White, somehow avoided an ejection after a leaping forearm to a defenseless opponent’s head that his own coach called “bullshit.” White was concussed by the hit and Gronk was dinged with an unnecessary roughness call.

NFL VP of Football Operations said in a letter to Gronkowski:

“Your actions were not incidental, could have been avoided and placed the opposing player at serious risk of injury,” NFL VP of Football Operations said in a letter to Gronkowski.

“The Competition Committee has clearly expressed it’s goal of ‘eliminating flagrant hits that have no place in our game.’ Those hits include the play you were involved in yesterday.” [via SB Nation]

After the game, Gronk took full responsibility for the dirty hit that shook up Tre’Davious White.

“I definitely want to apologize to #27, I’m not in the business of that, I was just really frustrated at the moment. It just happened naturally through emotions and frustrations. I want to apologize to Tre’Davious White I don’t really believe in those type of shots like that but just in the frustration process, game of football emotions. It’s just what happened.

“I just don’t understand why there wasn’t a flag (for DPI). It was a couple times in the game, and they’re calling me for the craziest stuff ever. And it’s crazy, like what am I supposed to do? And then they don’t call that. It was just frustration.”

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gronk will appeal his one-game suspension. If it is upheld, Gronk will miss next week’s game against the Dolphins.

[h/t ESPN]