Houston Texans defensive end will be suspended for the team’s season-opening game, as well as the final two preseason games, after ripping off the helmet of Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito and swinging it at his face in a preseason game on Saturday.
Smith is also expected to be fined. He will appeal the decision.
Though Smith was not penalized during the game, despite a referee standing less than 10 yards away, the defensive end had a history with Incognito, having been fined $21,000 last season for kicking the offensive lineman. The penalty was eventually reduced to $11,000 after an appeal, with Smith saying it was retaliation for Incognito intentionally twisting his ankle.
FOX Sports first obtained the video and aired it Monday on “Fox Football Daily.”
Smith did not discuss the incident after the game on Saturday, saying he, “took a blow to the head” and couldn’t remember what happened.
On Tuesday, Incognito was willing to empathize with Smith.
Football is an intense game. Blood runs hot…. I've been there. Emotions run high. People lost their cool. Thank God no one got hurt
— Richie incognito (@68INCOGNITO) August 20, 2013