Suspensions are a part of the NFL landscape, whether it’s for violating the league’s conduct policy, performance-enhancing drugs, or other transgressions.
However, there have been several instances where players were handed suspensions that many deemed unfair, either due to inconsistencies in the enforcement of rules, exaggerated penalties for relatively minor infractions, or even suspensions that seemed to ignore context. Here, we rank the ten most unfair suspensions in NFL history—those that still spark debates and frustrations years later.
10. Tom Brady – Deflategate (2015)
Tom Brady, arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, was suspended four games by the NFL in 2015 over the infamous “Deflategate” scandal. The accusation was that Brady was involved in the intentional deflation of footballs used in the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts.
While the evidence presented by the NFL was circumstantial, Brady was still handed a suspension. Many critics felt the punishment was an overreach, especially since Brady was never definitively proven to have orchestrated the scheme.
9. Josh Gordon – Substance Abuse Violations (2014-2019)
Wide receiver Josh Gordon’s career was marred by multiple suspensions for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, most notably for marijuana. Despite Gordon showing immense talent, his off-field issues led to several suspensions.
Many fans and analysts felt the penalties were excessive, especially when it came to marijuana, which had been legalized in several states by the time Gordon was serving suspensions.
8. Jerry Jones – Personal Conduct (2000)
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was briefly suspended in 2000 after an incident at a nightclub in which he was allegedly involved in an altercation. While the NFL never made the full details public, many felt Jones’ suspension was part of an effort to control the narrative around his ownership.
Given that the details of the situation were never entirely clear and that the NFL often treats team owners with leniency, many fans felt that Jones’ suspension was both unnecessary and unjustified.
7. Bountygate – New Orleans Saints (2012)
In 2012, the NFL uncovered a bounty program run by the New Orleans Saints, where players were paid bonuses for injuring opposing players. Head coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season, general manager Mickey Loomis received an eight-game suspension, and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was suspended indefinitely.
Many believed the suspensions handed down to Payton and others were overly harsh considering the lack of any direct evidence that Payton was directly involved in the bounty system. Critics pointed out that other teams had similar practices without receiving such severe penalties.
6. Le’Veon Bell (2018) – Four-Game Suspension for Drug Policy Violation
Bell’s suspension came after his refusal to submit to a drug test, leading to a four-game penalty. Many felt the punishment was excessive, especially when considering that Bell had not previously failed a drug test or been involved in any off-field misconduct.
The NFL’s stringent drug policies often come under scrutiny, and in Bell’s case, the suspension felt unnecessarily harsh for what many believed to be a misunderstanding.
5. Marty Schottenheimer – Rejected Suspension (1994)
In 1994, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Marty Schottenheimer was handed a suspension for allegedly allowing his team to break the league’s offseason training rules. Schottenheimer denied the accusations and attempted to appeal the suspension.
Many argued that this punishment was based on misunderstandings and exaggerated reports, especially given that the Chiefs were one of the most disciplined teams in the league at the time.
4. Marshawn Lynch – Media Controversy (2014)
In 2014, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was fined and briefly suspended for refusing to speak to the media in accordance with the NFL’s media policy. Lynch was fined $100,000 for not fulfilling his media obligations, and at one point, there were threats of suspension.
While the NFL’s media policies are well-known, many felt the treatment of Lynch was heavy-handed, especially considering his history of wanting to avoid the media spotlight for personal reasons. Given that he was not causing disruption on the field, many saw this as an unjustifiable punishment aimed more at making an example out of him than any true infraction.
3. The Patriots – Spygate (2007)
Though Brady wasn’t directly suspended in connection with the Spygate scandal, the entire episode left a black mark on the NFL’s reputation. In 2007, the New England Patriots were caught videotaping the signals of opposing teams, leading to a significant fine for the team and the loss of draft picks.
While head coach Bill Belichick was fined and stripped of a draft pick, no players were penalized. Many felt that Brady, who had played in the heart of the Patriots’ dynasty during that time, should have faced consequences for his involvement in the scandal.
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2. Calvin Ridley — Gambling (2022)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for the entire 2022 season after violating the NFL’s gambling policy. In early 2022, Ridley was found to have placed bets on NFL games, including Falcons games, while he was away from the team for personal reasons. The suspension was handed down despite Ridley not being actively involved in any games at the time of the bets.
Many viewed the suspension as harsh, given that Ridley’s gambling activities did not directly affect game outcomes or team performance. However, the NFL maintains a strict policy against gambling to protect the integrity of the game, and Ridley’s case highlighted the league’s zero-tolerance stance on betting-related violations.
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1. Colin Kaepernick (2017) – No Suspension, Just Ostracism
Colin Kaepernick was never suspended by the NFL, but his protest during the national anthem sparked controversy and led to his eventual exclusion from the league. Many saw Kaepernick’s punishment as unfair, considering he was simply exercising his First Amendment rights by protesting police brutality.
The lack of a suspension made his exclusion even more perplexing, and the ongoing debate over Kaepernick’s protest continues to be one of the most divisive issues in NFL history.
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