Bears receiver Javon Wims lost the appeal of his two-game suspension Wednesday, locking him into two unpaid weeks off for throwing two punches during Sunday’s game against the Saints.
Wims’ appeal was heard virtually by former player James Thrash, who is paid jointly by the NFL and the players’ union, as was his right through the collective bargaining agreement.
Monday, Wims was suspended for punching Saints safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson during Sunday’s game at Soldier Field. Gardner-Johnson angered Wims by pulling his mouthpiece off and, sources, said spitting toward him. Gardner-Johnson told reporters on Monday that he did not spit.
NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan cited Rule 12, Section 2, Article 14(c), which prohibits swinging at the face of an opponent, as well as Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which penalizes unsportsmanlike conduct, in his decision to suspend Wims on Monday.
Bears coach Matt Nagy called Wims’ actions “completely unacceptable,” saying that he apologized after the game and talked to his coach Monday.
“That’s not how we roll here,” Nagy said.
Wims’ absence figures to open the door for Riley Ridley to be on the team’s active roster, particularly because the Bears cut veteran receiver Ted Ginn earlier Wednesday.
