Damontae Kazee's Season Ends with Suspension
The NFL has been rocked by the news that Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee will not be taking to the field again this season. The league has handed down a suspension following a contentious play that resulted in Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman suffering a concussion.
During the game, Kazee was ejected for delivering a hit to the head or neck area of Pittman, who was deemed a defenseless player at the time—a violation of the NFL's safety rules designed to protect players from serious injury. The league's Vice President of Football Operations, Jon Runyan, characterized Kazee's action as a "serious rule violation," highlighting the league's ongoing commitment to player safety.
This is not the first time Kazee has come under scrutiny for his aggressive style of play. Throughout the season, he has racked up fines totaling $59,030 for unnecessary roughness. Now, with the suspension, Kazee stands to lose approximately $208,000 in salary.
Kazee, currently in his second year with the Steelers, has a two-year contract with the team. His contract details include a $1.75 million signing bonus and salaries of $1.25 million for the 2023 season and $3 million for the 2024 season. Despite the financial and professional setback, Kazee does have the option to appeal the suspension if he chooses to do so.
Reactions Within the League
The incident and subsequent suspension have prompted reactions from various figures within the NFL. Jon Runyan, in his statement, emphasized that the illegal contact made by Kazee "could have been avoided," suggesting that there might have been alternative actions the player could have taken to avoid such a harsh outcome.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin came to Kazee's defense, stating emphatically that Kazee is "not a dirty player." Tomlin elaborated on the situation, saying, "Usually I talk about lowering the target. The target was low and both guys were going. It was just unfortunate. I know he is not a dirty player. He doesn't aspire to do some of the things that came to light under those circumstances."
Legendary quarterback Tom Brady weighed in on the broader issue of player safety and responsibility. While acknowledging that no one likes to see players get hurt, Brady pointed out that quarterbacks have a role to play in protecting their receivers. He criticized quarterbacks for making throws that expose their receivers to dangerous hits. "To put the blame on the defense player all the time is just flat out wrong. Need better QB play!!" Brady argued. "It's not OK [for] QBs to get your WRs hit because of your bad decisions!"
Former NFL safety Mike Mitchell also shared his thoughts on the challenges defensive players face in the current climate of the NFL, where many rules favor offensive play. He suggested that receivers could exploit the rules by diving for every catch to avoid contact, thereby ensuring a completed pass. Mitchell also highlighted the difficulty of playing deep safety when the rules are often set by individuals who have never played the game themselves.
Looking Ahead
The debate over player safety and the rules governing hits in the NFL continues to be a contentious topic. As the league strives to balance the physical nature of football with the well-being of its players, incidents like the one involving Kazee and Pittman serve as flashpoints for discussion and potential rule refinement.
For Kazee, the immediate future involves dealing with the consequences of his actions on the field. Whether he appeals the suspension or not, this event will likely serve as a turning point in his career and a reminder of the fine line players walk between aggressive play and player safety.
The Steelers organization, along with Kazee's teammates, will need to adjust to his absence on the field, as they navigate the remainder of the season without one of their defensive assets. Meanwhile, the NFL community at large will continue to grapple with the complexities of enforcing rules that aim to keep the sport both exciting and safe for its athletes.