New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has been suspended one game without pay for his late hit on Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game at New Era Field.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gronkowski will appeal the suspension.
In a letter to Gronkowski from NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan, he wrote:
Your actions were not incidental, could have been avoided and placed the opposing player at risk of serious injury. The Competition Committee has clearly expressed its goal of 'eliminating flagrant hits that have no place in our game.' Those hits include the play you were involved in yesterday.
The hit by Gronkowski was described by many as one of the dirtiest of the year, as it happened well after the whistle following Tre'Davious White's interception.
After the Patriots defeated the Bills 23-3 Gronkowski apologized and said he lashed out because of a lingering frustration with officials for seven years of no calls on defenders holding him.
White remains in concussion protocol and his outlook for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts could be in doubt.
