Panthers CB Norman lands two fines

First the New York Giants lost star receiver Beckham to a one-game suspension for his aggressive behavior, which resulted in three unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties, during a game Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Per his rights under the collective bargaining agreement, Beckham appealed the suspension Wednesday in front of jointly appointed appeals officer James Thrash at the National Football League offices in New York City.

The league had handed down the suspension on Monday, punishing the player for his part in a series of on-the-field skirmishes with Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman. Later the same day, reports surfaced that members of the Panthers’ practice squad were taunting Beckham with homophobic slurs and threatening him with baseball bats during the pregame, which may be partially responsible for Beckham’s antics.

Beckham and Norman tangled from the beginning of the game, with plenty of pushing, shoving, swinging, wrestling, late hits and trash talking between them.

Beckham will now sit out Sunday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

The fines are reportedly for a facemask foul and for striking an opponent (Beckham Jr.) in the head/neck area. He wrote a letter to Beckham in which he told the football player that his actions during the game didn’t represent the high sportsmanship standards expected in football today. Norman is the Panthers’ top corner, Beckham the Giants’ top receiver.

Rivera said earlier Tuesday that the Panthers had not done anything wrong and was asked if that was the case, why he made the decision.

After a tweet by ESPN’s Ron Jaworski claimed that the 23-year-old superstar had successfully appealed a one game suspension, various other outlets later released that the suspension had been upheld. If his suspension is overturned, Beckham will still likely be hit with a hefty fine. But there were factors involved, starting in pregame, which are well-documented, which indicate that there was an attempt to provoke him.

“If you think (Beckham is) the only individual wrong in this situation, you’re nave”, Coughlin added. I wasn’t raised to act like I did the other day.

Beckham is also barred from practicing with the Giants this week.

Beckham was returning to his pre-game warmup when the player crossed the 50-yard line and walked to the 40 or 35-yard line on the Giants’ side of the 50, carrying a bat, Wing said.