Josh Norman Blasts Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham Jr. Suspended for Hit on Josh Norman: Latest Comments and Reaction - The NFL suspended wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. for one game for his helmet-to-helmet hit on cornerback Josh Norman during the Carolina Panthers' 38-35 win over the New York Giants on Sunday, the league confirmed Monday.

The league also elaborated on the decision in a statement:

Beckham was penalized three times for unnecessary roughness, including a late helmet-to-helmet hit against a defenseless player in which Beckham left his feet prior to contact to spring forward and upward into his opponent, lowered his helmet and initiated forcible contact with his helmet, and forcibly struck the defenseless player's head. This "blindside block" was particularly flagrant because Beckham, with a 10-yard running start, had an unobstructed path to his opponent, the position of the opponent was not impacted by any other player, and the contact with the head/neck was avoidable.

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."

Citing past protocol, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network believes the appeals hearing will be Tuesday, and a decision will come "no later" than Wednesday morning. However, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reported the appeal might not be heard until later in the day on Wednesday, and there is "no word" on which arbitrator will hear it.

Beckham and Norman are among the best players at their respective positions, so Sunday's matchup made for great theater. But the two engaged in several altercations before Beckham's emotions got the better of him in the third quarter.