Michael Griffin apologizes for suspension

Tennessee Titans safety Michael Griffin was suspended for one game following repeated illegal hits on defenseless players. Most recently, on Oakland Raiders tight end Mychal Rivera. Griffin hit Rivera so hard that his helmet flew off and rolled away.

“All I can say is I apologize to the Titans fans, my teammates and the organization,” Griffin told Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean via text message. “I also hope Rivera is doing well and I apologize to [Rivera] and his family.  I was trying to do my job but in the end I hurt the team.”

Griffin will lose $205,882.35 in salary if the suspension stands and he will appeal the decision. After the game Sunday, Griffin said he expected a fine not necessarily a suspension though.

“At the end of the day, as a defensive player in a situation, damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” the seventh-year pro said. “You look at it, he catches the ball, first down, they’re right there in scoring position. You knock the ball loose, they’re still right there in scoring position.

“More than likely I’m going to see a fine from the commissioner, and I’ve just got to go from there and continue to play football.