The appeals process is not public.However, under the collective bargaining agreement, appeals are heard by one of four people: former players Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson and James Thrash, or former coach Ron Rivera.
The NFL and NFLPA jointly appointed the panel.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.
This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.Franklin reportedly filed his appeal the same day the NFL announced its disciplinary action.According to the league, "Franklin will be suspended one game without pay because of an incident that occurred with 1:32 remaining" in Buffalo’s 33-30 win last week.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEBuffalo Bills Sam Franklin Jr.
(28) warms up before an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Oct.18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nev.
(Cooper Neill/Getty Images)Franklin is now the second Bills player to be suspended by the league for a spitting-related incident stemming from Week 6.Fellow Buffalo defensive back, C.J.Gardner-Johnson also received a one-game suspension after the league determined spitting in the direction of Raiders players.
Gardner-Johnson, who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, appeared to spit in the direction of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers.In both cases, the suspensions were issued after the players were found to have violated NFL Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which outlines discipline for any act that is "contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship." Other details surrounding Franklin’s discipline were not immediately revealed by the league.RAMS TACKLE ALARIC JACKSON WINS APPEAL, WILL MISS JUST ONE GAME FOR PUNCHING BILLS' BRADLEY CHUBBFranklin denied the allegation in a message posted on his Instagram account, saying he’s "Not a dirty play what so ever! Will always defend myself though.Still won't spit on anyone." Hi...