Suh's suspension appeal denied

New York, NY – Ndamukong Suh's appeal of his two-game suspension has been denied.

The Detroit Lions defensive tackle was suspended for stomping on a Green Bay Packers player last week and appealed the decision on Tuesday, after NFL vice president Merton Hanks notified him of the discipline.

But league spokesman Greg Aiello announced the denial on his Twitter account Friday. He wrote that Art Shell, one of two appeals officers jointly appointed and paid by the NFL and players union, notified Suh of the decision.

Suh was ejected from the Thanksgiving Day game after pushing Packers lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith's head to the turf a couple of times, then stomping on his right arm.

Suh was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on the play, which happened in the third quarter of Detroit's 27-15 loss. It was the tackle's fifth on-field rules violation in the past two seasons that resulted in league discipline.

He will miss games against the Saints and Vikings, and will be reinstated December 12. Suh will be eligible to play December 18 at Oakland.

"We respect the disciplinary process," said Lions president Tom Lewand. "Obviously, today's ruling does not impact our preparations for this week's game. We remain exclusively focused on the New Orleans Saints."

The Lions are 7-4 and battling for an NFC wild card berth.

Suh gave a somewhat bizarre explanation of his actions immediately after last week's game, saying he didn't intend to hurt anyone and adding that "the man upstairs knows what I did."

The following day he was more contrite, apologizing and calling his reaction "unacceptable." He also reportedly called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Sunday to apologize.

Suh, who has gained a reputation as a dirty player, met with Goodell earlier this month to discuss his style of play. He had been fined earlier this year, incurring a $20,000 penalty for a preseason hit on Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton.

In addition, he was fined twice last year as a rookie for hits against Jake Delhomme and Jay Cutler, and was also fined for unsportsmanlike conduct in a game.