Ndamukong Suh Fined $30,000 for Kicking Matt Schaub on Thanksgiving

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has received his punishment for kicking Matt Schaub in the groin during the team’s Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Houston Texans.

MLive.com’s Anwar Richardson reported the NFL’s decision via Twitter:

"

#Lions DT Ndamukong Suh was fined $30,000 by the #NFL for kicking #Texans QB Matt Schaub

— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) November 28, 2012"

This was the second consecutive year in which Suh has attracted attention for an incident on Thanksgiving. Last season, he was suspended for two games after stomping on Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith.

These incidents have earned Suh a reputation around the league, and for two seasons running, his peers have voted him the dirtiest player in football.

The defensive tackle’s talent has never been questioned since he was taken with the second overall pick in the 2010 draft. He was the Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler in his first season. 

He recorded 10 sacks as a rookie, which is an incredible number for an interior defensive lineman. However, his pass-rushing production has tailed off in the past two seasons and he currently has 4.5 sacks this year. 

Despite his success, though, he has consistently had problems controlling his temper. Had another player been the focal point of this incident, the NFL may not have taken action. 

Detroit head coach Jim Schwartz defended Suh and claimed there was nothing wrong with the incident, insinuating that it was not intentional. 

But the NFL felt differently, and the league’s decision was almost certainly influenced by Suh's history with dirty plays.

Suh’s wallet is now a little lighter, and it is unlikely that this will be the last time that he attracts controversy with questionable plays on the field.