Sam Franklin Jr becomes second Bills player suspended over alleged spitting, appeals NFL ban

Buffalo Bills safety Sam Franklin Jr. maintains he did not spit on a Raiders player during last week’s game in Las Vegas .

He is appealing the NFL’s one-game, unpaid suspension, sources told ESPN and The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The appeals process is not public.

However, under the collective bargaining agreement, appeals are heard by one of four people: former players Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson and James Thrash, or former coach Ron Rivera.

The NFL and NFLPA jointly appointed the panel.

Franklin reportedly filed his appeal the same day the NFL announced its disciplinary action.

According to the league, "Franklin will be suspended one game without pay because of an incident that occurred with 1:32 remaining" in Buffalo’s 33-30 win last week.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Franklin is now the second Bills player to be suspended by the league for a spitting-related incident stemming from Week 6.

Fellow Buffalo defensive back, C.J.

Gardner-Johnson also received a one-game suspension after the league determined spitting in the direction of Raiders players.

Gardner-Johnson, who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, appeared to spit in the direction of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers.

In both cases, the suspensions were issued after the players were found to have violated NFL Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which outlines discipline for any act that is "contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship." Other details surrounding Franklin’s discipline were not immediately revealed by the league.

RAMS TACKLE ALARIC JACKSON WINS APPEAL, WILL MISS JUST ONE GAME FOR PUNCHING BILLS' BRADLEY CHUBB Franklin denied the allegation in a message posted on his Instagram account, saying he’s "Not a dirty play what so ever! Will always defend myself though.

Still won't spit on anyone." His social media post included a slow-motion replay showing Las Vegas offensive lineman Delmar Glaze appearing to strike Franklin in a sensitive area below the waist during the Raiders’ successful extra-point attempt in what was ultimately a Bills victory.