Denver Broncos News 2015: Cornerback Aqib Talib Suspended One Game for Eye Poke
The NFL announced that Denver cornerback Aqib Talib is suspended for one game for the intentional poking of Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen in the right eye during the Colts' 27-24 win. The act was classified as "unnecessary roughness" by the league, which merits punishment.
The statement specifically stated:
"Talib was penalized for unnecessary roughness late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game in Indianapolis for forcefully poking an opponent in the eye after the conclusion of a play".
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Vice president of Football Operations for the NFL Merton Hanks determined the suspension based on his observation that the action by Talib put his opponent at the risk of getting injured, in a scenario wherein it could have been "avoided."
Meanwhile, reports are coming in that the first round draft pick of the 2008 NFL Draft lost the appeal for the suspension, which means that he could no longer play against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The 29-year-old also has missed games before; in October 2012, the NFL suspended the cornerback when he was still with the New England Patriots for violating the league policy on the use of performance-enhancing substances. He later released a statement saying that the suspension was caused by him testing positive for the substance Adderall.
Following the news of this recent suspension, Talib told reporters in the Denver locker room that though he thinks he deserves to be meted out a disciplinary action, the act in itself was unintentional. "They're entitled to discipline me. They've got the right to discipline me as they did," he said.
Furthermore, the suspension also means that he is expected to lose $323, 529.41 on his salary worth $5.5 million.
Coach Gary Kubiak later said that he already talked to his cornerback and that he told him it is best to stay out of the situation. The coach also mentioned that the team's executive vice president for football operations and general manager John Elway already has been in constant communication with the league officials since Monday.
