Player who slammed helmet into former Fresno State star Davante Adams suspended two games
Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis has been suspended for two games Monday for an illegal, helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay receiver and former Fresno State star Davante Adams.
Davis plans to appeal the suspension, according to ESPN and Yahoo Sports.
Davis slammed into Adams after Panthers safety Colin Jones intercepted an Aaron Rodgers pass Sunday.
Panthers LB Thomas Davis lays a brutal hit on Packers WR Davante Adams.pic.twitter.com/RLCT5UGDW0
— LeadingNFL ™ (@LeadingNFL) December 17, 2017
Adams, a standout for the Bulldogs and a favorite target for quarterback Derek Carr in 2012 and 2013, was able to walk off the field on his own. Earlier this season, he sustained a concussion and was carried off the field after absorbing a hit from Chicago Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan, who received a one-game suspension.
Earlier Monday, Adams lashed out at Davis on Twitter, describing the hit as “head hunting.”
I’ll never understand it. Game is already dangerous enough and we got Pro Bowl players out here head hunting and saying they “didn’t mean to harm me”
— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) December 18, 2017
Davis responded to Adams’ first tweet with an apology.
I understand your frustration and I do apologize for the hit! In no way was I trying to hurt you. My first instinct was turn and make a block. In all sincerity I do apologize. I truly respect you as a player and I made a mistake!
— Thomas Davis (@ThomasDavisSDTM) December 18, 2017
Adams went on:
Somebody please explain to me what I wasnt trying to hurt him means when we nowhere near the play and u lead with ya head and ear hole a defenseless player....
— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) December 18, 2017
Look it’s football but no room for shit like that. We supposed to be in this together n look out for one another not mess with a mans livelihood and hand out unnecessary concussions. We all got mouths to feed what if I did that to him and his kids cant eat...
— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) December 18, 2017
Not the type to rant but when u go through this shit twice in a year it takes a lil toll on u so excuse me.
— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) December 18, 2017
Davis had been fined for a hit against Chicago earlier this season, so the NFL considered him a repeat offender. “Your actions yesterday warrant an escalation of discipline,” Jon Runyan, NFL vice president of football operations, said in a letter to Davis.
Anthony Galaviz: 559-441-6042, @agalaviz_TheBee
This story was originally published December 18, 2017 at 1:55 PM with the headline "Player who slammed helmet into former Fresno State star Davante Adams suspended two games."