NFL turns down James Harrison’s fine appeal
Pittsburgh Steelers defender James Harrison is going to have to pay $100,000 worth of fines for two hits. The NFL had fined Harrison $75,000 dollars for a hit on Cleveland Browns’ wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi which gave him a concussion and $20,000 dollars
for a helmet to helmet hit against Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
Harrison had appealed those fines but the league has rejected both of Harrison’s appeals. Harrison had hoped to, in the very least, reduce the amount of the fines. His agent, Bill Parise said that Harrison was ‘upset’ about the conclusion of the proceedings
and that he did not feel it was a proper outcome. Parise himself wasn’t too enthusiastic about the league’s decision either. Speaking about the NFL decision Parise said “They said it was multiple occurrences and called it an egregious act — that’s a big word
isn’t it.” Parise said that he was disappointed by both the process and the verdict.
Harrison has already been fined three times in this season for hits the league considers inappropriate and dangerous. He might be fined a fourth time. This Sunday game officials ruled that Harrison had led with his helmet in a roughing-the-passer penalty
against Buffalo Bills quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick. “I guess the referees are getting to the point where they're afraid not to make a call if it's borderline,” Harrison said.
He told the press that he was not expecting a fine for the hit on Fitzpatrick because it was similar to a previous week hit on Oakland Raiders quarterback, Jason Campbell. The hit drew a penalty on Pittsburgh and cost the Steelers an interception returned
touchdown but Harrison was not fined for that hit. “I hit him [Fitzpatrick] the same way I did the quarterback from Oakland and I got the same flag but I didn't get a fine. ... I'm expecting the same thing on this.”
Harrison has met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in hopes of explaining his position as a defender to the league. He has been unapologetic about the way he plays the game and said that he would not change his style. Even after being penalized for the
hit on Fitzpatrick, Harrison maintained that there was nothing wrong with the hit. “It's not going to change the way I play,” Harrison said.
The league has hinted that the illegal hits to the head would draw larger fines for repeat offenders and could lead to suspensions. If Harrison finds himself in the league’s crosshairs again, he could very well be suspended.
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