Odell Beckham suspended for one game by the NFL

[UPDATED with statement from NFL]

The NFL has suspended Odell Beckham Jr. for one game following the events of the Giants week 15 game against the Carolina Panthers. In its official statement, the league said the suspension was for "multiple violations of safety-related playing rules" during the game against the Panthers.

It is a move that many were expecting, and many were calling for, after the Giants' star receiver apparently launched himself into Josh Norman's head during Sunday's game. That action was the culmination of a a feud that apparently started before the game and only grew over the course of the game.

Beckham's behavior has likely cost the Giants two games. The first being his mental absence during the Giants' critical game against the Panthers, and the second likely being their upcoming Sunday night clash against the Minnesota Vikings.

From the NFL's official statement on the suspension:

The suspension was imposed by NFL Vice President of Football Operations MERTON HANKS. Hanks ruled that Beckham's actions placed his opponents at unnecessary risk of injury and should have been avoided.

In a letter to Beckham, Hanks noted, "At numerous times during yesterday's game against the Carolina Panthers, your actions placed a fellow player at unnecessary risk...and clearly did not represent the high standards of sportsmanship expected."

Beckham will not be permitted this week to attend team meetings and functions; attend or watch practices; appear at the club's facilities for any reason; attend press conferences; appear at the team's December 27 game; or have contact with any club personnel except to arrange off-site medical treatment or rehabilitation. Beckham will be reinstated on Monday, December 28.

Beckham has three days to appeal. Per the NFL's statement such appears are heard by either Derrick Brooks or James Thrash, the officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.

As of this writing, there hasn't been any punishments announced for Norman for his role in the afternoon's antics. In its statement, the NFL said:

"The conduct of other players in the Panthers-Giants game is being reviewed for potential discipline in the form of fines."

Stay tuned for more developments.

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