National Football League

Lions' Raiola loses appeal, one-game suspension upheld

Published Dec. 23, 2014 6:55 p.m. ET

foxsports

DETROIT — Lions center Dominic Raiola lost his appeal of a one-game suspension for stepping on Chicago Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson.

Appeals officer Derrick Brooks, the Hall of Fame linebacker appointed by the NFL and the players' union, upheld the suspension Tuesday.

The punishment was handed down Monday by Merton Hanks, the NFL's vice president of football operations. The league said this was Raiola's sixth rules violation related to player safety since 2010.

Raiola stepped on Ferguson's right ankle Sunday while the Chicago lineman was on the ground early in the third quarter. Raiola said after the game it was not intentional, and that he talked to Ferguson and apologized.

Raiola has been with the Lions for his entire 14-year career, playing every game of every season except 2008.

Detroit plays at Green Bay on Sunday for the NFC North title.