Pittburgh Steelers' James Harrison fined again
As if James Harrison wasn’t already fed up with the NFL’s new policies for violent and/or inappropriate hits, the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker was fined another $20,000 by the league on Thursday, 4 November, for what it deemed to be an untimely hit on
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
The hit in question occurred in last Sunday’s 20-10 loss at the hands of the Saints. This marks the third time this season that the three-time Pro Bowler has been fined by the league, for a total of $100,000.
Harrison had also been fined $5,000 for a jarring Week Two collision with Tennessee Titans play-caller, Vince Young.
After their 17 October matchup, Harrison was also fined $75,000 for a helmet-to-helmet collision with Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi.
Shortly thereafter, in an effort to protect the safety and well-being of its athletes, the NFL adopted a new, more stringent approach on hits to players’ heads and necks.
The fine comes just days after Harrison met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to converse about the league’s new policies.
According to Associated Press, Harrison said, "It was just for him to hear my side of things and for them to help me understand exactly what the rules are as far as helmet-to-helmet contact. So I spoke my mind. They said what they had to say. We
had a semi-productive meeting, I guess. I came away with a better understanding, and I think they got a better understanding of how I see things."
Although the 2008 Associated Press’ Defensive Player of the Year deemed Tuesday’s meeting “semi-productive,” Goodell, who actually requested the conference, thought that Harrison’s actions were vicious enough to merit another fine. Coming to his teammate’s
defence, Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu neither agrees with Goodell’s approach, or backs the fact the Commissioner has the last say on fines and penalties.
"He’s got all the power, and that may be part of the problem," the safety said in regards to Goodell. "There needs to be some type of separation of power, like our government. I don’t think it should be based totally on what two or three people may say that
are totally away from the game. It should be some of the players that are currently playing."
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