James Harrison contemplates retirement after $75,000 fine
After a week filled with injuries, the NFL has promised to come down harder on players who lead with their helmet when tackling. And the league has come down hard on Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, James Harrison, who received a $75,000 fine.
Harrison was fined $25,000 more than two other offenders over the weekend, New England Patriots Brandon Meriweather and Atlanta Falcons Dunta Robinson, because the NFL considered Harrison to be a repeat offender after his tackle on Tenessee Titans quarterback
Vince Young, back on September 19.
The fine comes as a result of Harrison's hit on Cleveland Browns receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, although he did have another questionable hit on running back Josh Cribbs in the same game.
Harrison is now questioning whether or not he can really play under the league's rules. "I'm going to sit down and have a serious conversation with my coach tomorrow and see if I can actually play by NFL rules and still be effective. If not, I may have to
give up playing football."
Harrison also told Fox Sports Radio, "I really truly hope it's something that can be done. But the way that things were being explained to me today and the reasoning for it, I don't feel I can continue to play and be effective and, like I say, not have to
worry about injuring someone else or risking injury to myself."
According to his contract, Harrison will make $44,411.76 (base salary) per game this season. The fine is equivalent to almost two pay checks, but Massaquoi's agent, Brian Ayrault, doesn't believe that the fine is high enough.
"Harrison has made $20 million over the past three years, and they only fined him $75,000? To me, that's not going to be a deterrent. The Browns are probably going to be without a starter this week. I don't think that fine is a deterrent or fair to competitive
balance."
No suspension has been issued to Harrison from the league.
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