Mike Pennel Settles for Four-Game Suspension
We knew Green Bay Packers’ defensive lineman Mike Pennel was going to be suspended. Apparently, suing the NFL and player’s association allowed him to get that suspension reduced to four games.
Packers DL Mike Pennel settled his appeal/lawsuit over a violation of the substance-abuse policy, sources say. Will serve 4-game suspension.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 6, 2016
Pennel was suspended the first four games of this season for a violation of the substance abuse policy. Another violation, which Pennel now obviously committed, would have resulted in a suspension of at least 10 games. The league reportedly wanted to go beyond that and hit Pennel with a year-long suspension.
Pennel filed a lawsuit against the NFL and NFLPA in Ohio last week ahead of his appeal hearing. That appeal was originally supposed to be heard this week, but was postponed after Pennel filed suit.
Now, the legal maneuvering appears to be a brilliant move. Pennel will go on suspension immediately, but if the Packers make the playoffs, he’ll be able to return for their first game.
That’s certainly much more palatable than a year-long ban.
The real question is why the league chose to reduce the suspension by so many weeks? If we get an answer to that question, we’ll surely let you know.
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This guy still plays for the Packers? He’s gone, move on.
Does anyone have BJ Raji’s number? I bet he is rested and fresh.
…and 60 lbs heavier.
Tough season for Mike. Really has done nothing for that Dline group. I think they can bring up Brian Price from the PS and keep the rotation goin just fine for the rest of the season.
He was average when he was on the juice, what’s he gonna be now?
I feel like the defensive line was playing better before Pennel came back from his first suspension. Am I just imagining that?
another TT gem
To be fair he was an undrafted guy. Only a small percentage of undrafted players become gems.
Much like Justin Harrellson, Jared Bush, John Kuhn, and that last bozo that punted for them, this guy has to have compromising pictures of Packers brass at the Christmas party. You just can’t justify harboring these scrubs any other way.
Not sure why the NFL caved and didn’t go 10 weeks with him.
But here’s what you have. A player, on the verge of millions and a 2nd contract, who gets suspended twice in his last season before free agency.
You can’t fix stupid.
There’s a reason they call it dope.
The Packers would never resign a guy like this, but with TT, were not as sure anymore. Don’t underestimate the desperation of TT.