Bills' Sam Franklin wins appeal of one-game spitting suspension, has it reduced to a fine

NEW YORK (AP) — Buffalo Bills defensive back Sam Franklin has successfully appealed his one-game suspension for what the NFL said was an act of spitting at an opponent on Sunday.

The league announced Friday that hearing officer James Thrash reduced the punishment to a fine of $14,926 for unsportsmanlike conduct. That makes Franklin eligible to play in Buffalo’s next game on Nov. 1 against Baltimore, following the Bills' bye week.

Agent Harold Lewis adamantly denied that Franklin spit on anyone.

Teammate C.J. Gardner-Johnson had his one-game spitting suspension upheld Thursday after appealing it.

Franklin earlier this week denied the spitting allegation in a message posted on his Instagram account, saying he’s “not a dirty player.”

He said he was defending himself without resorting to spitting at anyone. His social media post included a video showing Las Vegas offensive lineman Delmar Glaze appearing to strike Franklin in a sensitive area below the waist during the Raiders’ successful extra-point attempt in Buffalo’s 33-30 win.

Lewis said Franklin was also struck in a similar fashion during a Raiders’ successful field-goal attempt earlier in the game.

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