The Sports Xchange

Former NFL wide receiver James Thrash will join Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks as an appeals officer for on-field player discipline beginning this season.

The NFL and NFL Players Association made the announcement Monday. Thrash and Brooks are jointly appointed and compensated by the league and NFLPA. Brooks was appointed last year.

Thrash is replacing Ted Cottrell, who last year made the controversial decision to overturn Ndamukong Suh’s one-game suspension for stepping on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Cottrell reduced the ban to a $70,000 fine.

Any player who is fined or suspended for an on-field violation has the right to an appeal heard by an independent arbitrator.

Thrash, who played for the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles from 1997-2008, will hear player appeals of on-field discipline, along with Brooks.

Following his 12-year NFL career, Thrash headed player development for the Redskins, helping coordinate an internship program for players as well as working with players and their families on financial programs and continuing education initiatives. Thrash then shifted his efforts to serving current and former players as part of the NFL Player Engagement staff, where he worked for three years.