Troy Polamalu pushing proposal that players determine fines for flagrant hits
In the wake of the NFL's proposal to crack down on illegal hits to the head, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has spoken his mind, suggesting that the league should take a more democratic approach to the situation and allow the players to determine
what kind of fines are handed out for illegal hits.
Speaking on Tuesday, 9 November, on "The T.Ocho Show", a talk show featuring Cincinnati Bengals receiving tandem Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, Polamalu addressed the subject of hits to the head saying, "I think 99.9 percent of the players would agree
that we need to come up with a better system on how we fine players. I think current players should be involved, coaches should be involved, as well as front office people, including the commissioner. I think a more democratic approach to these fines would
be better."
Since a particularly violent week six in the NFL, the league has handed out several fines for what it is claiming are illegal hits to players in vulnerable positions. Polamalu first began to speak out about the situation after his team-mate James Harrison
received his third fine of the season. Harrison has now paid $100,000 in fines for illegal hits this season.
On the show, Polamalu appeared to have the support of Owens, whom Polamalu had leveled with a devastating hit late in the Steelers-Bengals matchup on Monday night. "I would totally agree," Owens said. "I think this is definitely where players should definitely
use our voices in situations like this, and this is only just one of many topics that needs to be addressed."
However, despite the support for Polamalu's proposal from players, the league is not about to take that route. "There are league executives involved and there are former players involved," league commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters on Monday before
the game in Cincinnati. "I think having active players and active front office executives is something the competition committee has always frowned on."
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