Baltimore Ravens CB Jimmy Smith has been suspended four games for “personal conduct violations.”
The Ravens released this statement on Tuesday after the suspension was downgraded from six games to four following his appeal.
Ravens statement regarding the NFL’s four-game suspension of CB Jimmy Smith.
📰: https://t.co/rN0gu8VeRh pic.twitter.com/FrdldXlslX— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 21, 2018
“The NFL found evidence of threatening and emotionally abusive behaviors by Jimmy toward his former girlfriend that showed a pattern of improper conduct. Our player’s behavior was inappropriate and wrong.”
Smith engaged in this “improper conduct” during custody disputes. The issues, according to Raven’s statement, has been resolved.
Smith will miss the first four games of the season without pay. This includes games against Buffalo, Cincinnati, Denver and Pittsburgh.
NFL suspended Ravens’ CB Jimmy Smith four games for violating league’s personal conduct policy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2018
Despite the new culture of the NFL, and the Baltimore Ravens own “zero tolerance” policy toward domestic violence, the team is prepared to let the premier corner return to the team after his sentence is served.
“As a result of this entire process, we will allow Jimmy to return to our team after his suspension. Jimmy has acknowledged his behaviors were wrong and accepts full responsibility for them. He has completed a clinical evaluation and has agreed to undertake any follow-up care or treatment that may be recommended. Through our conversations with Jimmy, we believe he is taking the proper steps to improve and that he can change. Jimmy has assured us that he is fully dedicated to making this change. He also understands the consequences if he does not.” said the Ravens via a public statement.
This suspension comes on the heels of another suspension that would have ended his season last year, had he not suffered a torn Achilles tendon last December. That suspension was for using banned substances. Smith claimed a pre-workout supplement was to blame.
Regardless, this now leaves the Ravens without their top corner for eight consecutive games. Last season, the Ravens post-season hopes were dashed when Cincinnati converted a 4th-down to score the go-ahead touchdown late in the 4th-quarter to beat the Ravens on New Year’s Eve.
Categories: Ravens
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