NFL suspends Houston Texans Antonio Smith for preseason, Week 1
By Bryan Rose
Well, I guess ripping off a helmet and swinging it at the face of another player isn’t that bad of an offense, according to the NFL.
Today, the league suspended Houston Texans defensive lineman Antonio Smith for attempting to destroy the face of Dolphins left guard Richie Incognito.
During the Texans most recent game against the Dolphins, Smith (who was clearly unhappy with a Incognito’s hands to the face and a slap) ripped off Incognito’s helmet, swinging it around towards the grill of Incognito. He narrowly missed what would have been an ugly situation.
Smith, who is assured a roster spot is probably happy he’ll be missing the remainder of the preseason and to only receive a one game ban from the NFL? That’s a pretty small slap on the wrist.
"The NFL will suspend Texans defensive end Antonio Smith for one regular-season game and Houston’s remaining two preseason games for forcibly removing the helmet of Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito and then dangerously swinging it at his face, a league source told ESPN.He was also expected to be fined for the incident."
It doesn’t appear Incognito holds a grudge though as the guard tweeted the following this morning:
"Football is an intense game. Blood runs hot…. I’ve been there. Emotions run high. People lost their cool. Thank God no one got hurt"