NFL announces multi-game suspension for Cowboys defender

Defensive tackle Trysten Hill of the Dallas Cowboys has been suspended two games without pay for his actions following the Cowboys’ loss on Thanksgiving Day to the Las Vegas Raiders. After NFL league officials reviewed all of the film from the game, it was determined that Hill threw an open hand punch to Raiders offensive lineman John Simpson’s facemask. And now that one punch will cost him two games and two weeks’ worth of pay.

The NFL issued this statement on the incident.

“Trysten Hill Of the Dallas Cowboys has been suspended without pay for two games for violation of unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct rules following Thursday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders,” wrote the NFL in the statement.

“NFL vice president of football operations John Runyan issued the suspension for a violation of Rule 12, Section 2, Article 14(c) which prohibits striking, swinging at, or clubbing the head, neck, or face of an opponent with the wrist(s), arm(s), elbow(s), or hands(s), as well as Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 which prohibits any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship,” wrote the NFL.

Runyan’s letter to the Cowboys d-lineman

Runyan wrote a letter to Hill addressing the NFL’s decision to suspend him and what factors played a part in their decision-making.

“After the Las Vegas Raiders-Dallas Cowboys game on November 25, you engaged in conduct that this office considers unnecessary roughness and displays a lack of sportsmanship,” Runyan told Hill. “Specifically, as both teams were shaking hands, you waited more than 50 seconds for your opponent at the 50-yard line. When you located him, you then walked toward him in the opposite direction of your locker room. You both engaged in a verbal chest-to-chest confrontation which you escalated by throwing an open hand punch to his facemask, forcible enough to cause your opponent’s helmet to come off.”

Hill will not be eligible to return to the Cowboys’ active roster until Monday, Dec 13. which means he will be out for the Cowboys’ upcoming Thursday night game against the New Orleans Saints. And their match-up against division rival, the Washington Football Team two Sundays from now. 

Hill can choose to appeal the suspension if he would like thanks to the collective bargaining agreement. But with the evidence of his actions circulating all around social media, it could be difficult for him to win this appeal.