Acme Packing Company
Contrary to popular belief, former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson didn’t just disappear to a farm in Kansas after his playing days were over. Last October, Nelson returned to football when he joined the NFL and NFLPA as a joint hearing officer, serving as a mediator between the league and the players’ union. In the role, he is part of the appeals process for suspensions and fines.
So when Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch decided to appeal his suspension for throwing punches after the Lions’ loss against the Kansas City Chiefs, the case went across Nelson’s desk.
Why Branch appealed…is anyone’s guess. It seems like a pretty open and shut case. In the league’s initial ruling, NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan Sr., father of former Packers guard Jon Runyan Jr., said the following:
“Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players. Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game.”
Ultimately, Nelson ruled on Wednesday that the appeal would stand. Hey, if anyone is going to make money off of this wasted time, at least it’s Jordy.
