The ASSOCIATED PRESS reports the NFL has suspended Carolina Panther Dante Wesley for his cheap shot on Tampa Bay Buccaneer Clifton Smith yesterday.

(Video after the jump)

NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson in a letter to Wesley: “The prohibited contact in this case went well beyond simply interfering with the receiver. Instead, by striking your defenseless opponent in the head and neck area, you committed an unnecessary and unnecessarily dangerous act that is specifically prohibited by the rules.” Read more…

Here’s video and a photo montage of Carolina Panther Dante Wesley’s vicious hit on Tampa Bay Buccaneer Clifton Smith today in Tampa:

(Video after the jump)

Smith suffered a concussion and a throat injury and was unable to speak after the Bucs 28-21 loss to the Panthers. Wesley was ejected from the game and will undoubtedly get fined and hopefully a suspension.

Tampa Bay Safety Sabby Piscitelli had the reaction most of us had. He said, “I was in shock like everyone else. I was trying to keep my cool as a professional and not kill him.”

I say “most of us had”, because Carolina Coach John Fox has a reax that will probably surprise you. Read more…