Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been suspended for one game by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct toward an official after Sunday’s matchup against the New York Giants, the league announced Monday.
In its statement, the NFL said Greenlaw “pursued referee Brad Allen and issued verbal threats as the official was leaving the field.”
A CBS Colorado reporter shared video footage showing the altercation between Greenlaw and Allen.
The NFL said Greenlaw violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(b), which prohibits “the use of abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures to opponents, teammates, officials, or representatives of the League.”nullnull
Greenlaw has three days to appeal his suspension under the collective bargaining agreement.
If he does not appeal or the suspension is upheld, he would sit out the Broncos’ practices this week and Sunday’s home game against the Dallas Cowboys. The suspension would also cost him a game check in the amount of $192,778.
Sunday marked Greenlaw’s first game with Denver after he signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract in March. He did not play in the preseason or in the first six games of the regular season because of thigh injuries.
Against the Giants, Greenlaw played 21 snaps and finished with six tackles and a quarterback hit as the Broncos stormed back from a 19-0 fourth-quarter deficit to win 33-32 and improve to 5-2.
Broncos coach Sean Payton has consistently lauded the physicality and athleticism Greenlaw could bring to the Denver defense. Despite his injuries over the years, Greenlaw, who spent his first six seasons with San Francisco, has been one of the league’s most impactful off-ball linebackers — he has had four 80-tackle seasons and 14 career passes defensed.
