NEW YORK – Terrelle Pryor will appeal his five-game NFL suspension, according to a person familiar with his case.
Pryor was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the supplemental draft on Aug. 22. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him, however, for the season's first five games for manipulating his eligibility for that draft.
Although the former Ohio State quarterback agreed to the suspension, a person familiar with his case said Pryor now has decided to appeal it. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Friday on condition of anonymity because neither Pryor nor the league has announced his intention to appeal.
The NFL had no comment.
Now the players' union must file the appeal. Several members of the NFL Players Association's executive committee previously have expressed concerns about Goodell suspending a player who was not yet in the league.
The appeal likely will be filed Monday; the Raiders open the season that night at Denver. Under terms of the suspension, Pryor can't practice or play until the week of Oct. 10.
Pryor gave up his final season with the Buckeyes after an investigation into the team's memorabilia-for-cash scandal. He originally was barred from entering the supplemental draft, then was approved by Goodell, with the proviso he must sit out five games. Pryor was subject to a similar suspension had he returned to Ohio State.
He signed a four-year contract with the Raiders a few days after being drafted but did not appear in a preseason game.
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