Jets’ Sal Alosi Banned for Season and Fined $25K for Tripping Dolphins Runner
Hours after New York Jets strength and conditioning coach, Sal Alosi, fought to keep back tears at a news conference, the NFL released details about his punishment.
Alosi purposefully interfered with Miami Dolphins player Nolan Carroll. While Carroll was running down the sideline on a punt return, Alosi stuck out his knee and hit Carroll in the thigh, causing him to trip and fall to the ground.
Alosi has been suspended without pay for the rest of the season, and also fined $25,000 by the Jets. The ban, effective immediately, includes playoff games and Alosi is prohibited from coming to the team’s facility and may not interact with players and coaches
in any job-related way. He is allowed to return the day after the season is over, but the Jets may have something to say about that.
The Jets, who decided on their fine after consultation with the NFL, are considering termination.
Alosi helped his cause by taking responsibility for his mistake.
"Sal feels terrible for what he did, and yet he took ownership, which I respect," Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said. "It's something we take very seriously here. We're extremely disappointed with what he did. There's no place for it in this game
and he knows that. It's our job to hold him accountable."
The Jets are still deciding if they want to allow Alosi, 33, to come back in 2011, says Tannenbaum.
"I accept responsibility for my actions and respect the team's decision," Alosi said in a statement released by the team.
Alosi is paid every other week, meaning that he could lose two paychecks if the Jets get to the playoffs. Including lost pay and the fine, Alosi will lose about $50,000.
Earlier in the day, during a news conference, Alosi said that his act was “inexcusable and irresponsible.” When asked why he tripped Carroll, Alosi replied, "You're asking me to give a logical explanation to an illogical act ... I wasn't thinking. If I could
go back and do it again, I'd sure as heck take a step back [from Carroll]."
Some coaches outside of the AFC East said that the Jets’ personnel and inactive players may have been instructed to form a wall, which is a show of force to discourage the Dolphins gunners, but Tannenbaum and head coach Rex Ryan said that there were no such
orders.
"No, that wasn't anything that was instructed," said Alosi, claiming he was so close to the sideline because he wanted to cheer on the players.
All in all, this is one mistake that Alosi wishes that he could take back. His suspension will end after the season and may return to Jets. If they are willing to keep him, of course. Only time will tell for Sal Alosi.
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