CINCINNATI -- Bengals defensive end Frostee Rucker is appealing a proposed one-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, the result of settling a domestic violence case in April.
If he loses the appeal, Rucker will become the third Bengals player suspended by the league for the Sept. 10 season opener. Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended receiver Chris Henry for the first eight games for repeatedly violating the NFL's conduct policy.
Middle linebacker Odell Thurman was suspended for the 2006 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. His request for reinstatement was denied by Goodell, who decided he should sit out the 2007 season as well.
Rucker is one of 10 Bengals who faced criminal charges during a 14-month span. His case resulted from an incident in 2005, when he was at Southern California.
"We're confident in the merits of our appeal of the suspension," agent J.R. Rickert said. "We're not aware of any case where the personal conduct policy has been applied to a person for an offense that occurred while they were in college."
The Bengals declined to comment on the proposed suspension.
"We are aware of the report, but we have no definitive communication from the league," spokesman Jack Brennan said. "Until then, we won't have any further comment."
Rucker was accused of getting into a fight with his girlfriend at a party he was hosting in Los Angeles in August 2005. Misdemeanor charges were filed in June 2006 -- two months after he was drafted by the Bengals.
Rucker faced two counts each of battery and vandalism. Prosecutors said the woman sustained minor injuries, and her Blackberry and cell phone were damaged. A charge of false imprisonment later was added.
Last April 30, Rucker settled the case with a plea agreement. He pleaded no contest to one count of vandalism and one count of false imprisonment, and the rest of the charges were dropped.
He was sentenced in Los Angeles Superior Court to three years on probation and 750 hours of community service. He also was ordered to get treatment for domestic violence and pay a $520 fine.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
