The Safety Damontae Kazee of the Steelers has been suspended for the rest of the season for a hit.
PITTSBURGH, After being ejected on Saturday for a hard hit on Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., Steelers safety Damontae Kazee has been suspended for the final three games of the regular season without pay for repeated violations of rules designed to protect players’ health and safety, the NFL announced Monday.
The punishment also affects any potential playoff games.
The suspension was issued by NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan for a violation of the rule that states it is a foul if a player “forcibly hits the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, face mask, forearm, or shoulder, even if the initial contact is lower than the player’s neck, and regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him.”
In a letter to Kazee, Runyan stated that the Steelers safety had a “unobstructed path” to Pittman and that “illegal contact could have been avoided.”
“With 8:49 remaining in the 2nd quarter, you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules,” he wrote. “The video of the play shows that you delivered a forcible blow to the head/neck area of Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who was in a defenseless posture.” You had an unimpeded path to your opponent, and the illegal touch might have been prevented. Your acts were egregious, and as a result, you were disqualified from the game.”
After the game, coach Mike Tomlin said the ejection came from “New York,” and on Monday he said Kazee isn’t a “dirty player.””Usually I talk about lowering the target,” Tomlin remarked when asked about the coaching tips he offers his safeties. “The target was low, and both players were moving. It was just unfortunate. I know he isn’t a dirty player. He has no desire to perform some of the things that have come to light as a result of the circumstances.
“Sometimes it’s just professional football today and how difficult it is to operate, but the National Football League is really clear, man.” In certain cases, they place the onus entirely on the defense. It’s unfortunate, but we understand.”
Kazee has already been penalized $59,030 for several unnecessary roughness infractions this season.Runyan’s letter also mentions Kazee’s history as a repeat offender as a factor in the suspension, which will cost him around $208,000 in wages.
“When players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, and particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player, it is appropriate to impose substantially greater penalties,” he said.Retired quarterback Tom Brady, who has been vocal about his discontent with the NFL’s rule changes in the name of player safety, reacted to Kazee’s punishment in an Instagram remark under a SportsCenter piece.
“No one loves seeing players get hurt. However, heavy hits do occur. “QBs should not throw the ball in areas where they expose their teammates to these types of hits,” he wrote. “Coaches need to coach better, quarterbacks need to read coverages and throw the ball to the right places, and defenders need to aim for the right hitting areas.” To always criticize the defense player is simply incorrect. Better quarterback performance is required!! It is not acceptable for quarterbacks to have their wide receivers hit as a result of poor judgments!”
Mike Mitchell, the Colts’ assistant secondary coach and a former Steelers defensive back, tweeted Monday, “I don’t know what to tell my safeties anymore.”I think I’ll just let them catch it. If I were a wide receiver, I’d dive for every grab. That would ensure no contact and a successful pass. It’s difficult to play deep safety in today’s NFL, where rules are primarily created by individuals who have never played.”
Kazee has the right to challenge the suspension under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. If he does, either Derrick Brooks or James Thrash, the hearing officers jointly chosen by the NFL and the players’ union, will hear the appeal. Pittman was taken to the concussion protocol following the incident and did not return to the game. The Steelers lost safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to a knee injury the next play, and he has been ruled out of Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.