Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch has been suspended one game for making physical contract with an official, and will miss the Raiders' Week 8 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Marshawn had appealed the suspension but the league's appeals officer James Thrash upheld the decision.
During the second quarter of Oakland's thrilling 31-30 win over the division rival Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night, Marshawn ran onto the field to break up a scuffle between the Raiders' offensive linemen and Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters. Amid the altercation, Marshawn grabbed an official and was promptly ejected from the game.
According to ESPN, Lynch argued that other players have made contact with officials in the past and have not been suspended. Marcus Peters also spoke on Marshawn's behalf.
"Lynch had argued at Monday's appeal hearing that nine other players, including Aaron Donald and Taylor Lewan last season, have made contact with an official and none have been suspended, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter."
"The source also said that Peters spoke on Lynch's behalf during the hearing, which was held by conference call."
"Peters told Thrash that Lynch was trying to calm him and the situation."
After Thursday night's game, Raiders lineman Donald Penn spoke about the incident and explained to reporters that Marshawn and Marcus Peters are like brothers.
Per ESPN,
"I ran over there and got [Peters] off of him because the refs weren't doing their job of protecting my quarterback when he's on the ground," Penn said.
"I saw Marshawn come out there; that's his cousin. Chris Long did that thing to his brother a couple years ago. Marshawn wasn't doing anything. He was just trying to protect his cousin, get his cousin to the sideline. They're real close, they're more like brothers than cousins, they're real close. He's going to learn. Marshawn's smart, he's going to learn from that moving forward."
In seven games this season, the 31-year old running back has rushed for just 266 yards and two touchdowns.
The Raiders, 3-4, will travel to Buffalo for Sunday's matchup against the 4-2 Bills.