NFL: Randy Gregory, Oday Aboushi suspended over brawl on Sunday

A brawl between LB Randy Gregory and OL Oday Aboushi tainted Sunday’s game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Denver Broncos. In the aftermath of the matchup, a 51-14 victory for the Rams, Denver’s Gregory and LA’s Aboushi received a one-game suspension.

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan explained that they were punished for unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness. Gregory and Aboushi broke a rule regarding “striking, swinging at, or clubbing the head, neck, or face of an opponent with the wrist(s), arm(s), elbow(s) or hand(s).”

The incident happened during the postgame handshaking session, where Gregory and Aboushi could be seen exchanging words. Gregory punched Aboushi’s helmet first, then, Aboushi returned the fist before their teammates separated them. Runyan wrote letters to Gregory and Aboushi detailing the incident’s chronology.

“As you were walking toward a group of teammates, coaches, and media, you both stopped and swung at each other’s head and/or neck. Your aggressive conduct could have caused serious injury and clearly does not reflect the high standards of sportsmanship expected of a professional,” Runyan wrote.

Responding to the penalty, Gregory admitted to giving the first punch. However, he declined to discuss it further.

“Y’all want to know if I hit him in the mouth? I did,” Gregory said.

This suspension is not the first for Gregory. He was suspended multiple times before, including for 14 games in 2016, the entirety of 2017, and the whole 2019 season. The NFL also banned him for two games in 2018 and six in 2020.

Gregory will skip Denver’s road game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Meanwhile, Aboushi will be out from the Rams’ roster for the derby against the Los Angeles Chargers. They will return to the field on January 2 — after their punishments are over.