Damontae Kazee Faces Season-Ending Suspension
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without safety Damontae Kazee for the remainder of the NFL season following a suspension handed down by the league. This disciplinary action comes as a result of an incident in which Kazee was ejected for delivering a hit that left Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman with a concussion.
According to the NFL's rules, any contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless player is considered a foul and subject to penalty. Jon Runyan, a key figure within the NFL's disciplinary committee, characterized Kazee's hit as a "serious rule violation," underscoring the league's commitment to player safety.
Kazee's History of Fines and Financial Impact of Suspension
This season has seen Kazee fined on five separate occasions for unnecessary roughness, amounting to a total of $59,030. The latest suspension will further impact Kazee's earnings, costing him approximately $208,000 in salary.
Kazee, who is currently in his second year of a contract with the Steelers, has a deal that includes a signing bonus of $1.75 million. His salaries are structured to be $1.25 million for the 2023 season and $3 million for the 2024 season. Despite the setback of his suspension, Kazee does have the option to appeal the decision.
Responses from the Football Community
The incident and subsequent suspension have sparked reactions across the football community. Jon Runyan expressed his belief that the illegal contact made by Kazee could have been avoided, indicating a possible lapse in judgment or technique on the part of the safety.
Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin came to Kazee's defense, stating emphatically that Kazee is "not a dirty player." Tomlin elaborated, suggesting that while the outcome was regrettable, the nature of the collision was more a product of circumstance than intention. He emphasized that lowering the target was not the issue in this case, as both players were actively moving during the play, leading to an unfortunate clash.
Legendary quarterback Tom Brady weighed in on the broader implications of such incidents, pointing out the role quarterbacks play in protecting their receivers. He criticized passers for making throws that put their teammates in vulnerable positions, implying that better decision-making is required to prevent these types of hits. Brady's comments highlight the complexity of assigning blame in contact sports, where multiple factors contribute to on-field events.
Former NFL safety Mike Mitchell offered his perspective, touching on the challenges defensive players face in adhering to the rules, many of which are designed by individuals who have never played the game professionally. Mitchell's remarks suggest a disconnect between the rule-makers and the players who must navigate the regulations in real-time, high-stakes situations. He also humorously proposed that wide receivers could simply dive for every catch to ensure no contact occurs, though this tactic would likely be impractical in actual gameplay.
Looking Ahead
The absence of Kazee will undoubtedly be felt by the Steelers' defense, as they lose a player who has shown tenacity and skill on the field. As the team adjusts to his absence, the debate around player safety, the enforcement of rules, and the responsibilities of each player on the field continues to evolve.
The NFL remains firm in its stance on player safety, particularly when it comes to protecting players from concussions and other serious injuries. However, the comments from Tomlin, Brady, and Mitchell reflect a sentiment that the conversation around these issues is far from settled and requires ongoing dialogue to find a balance between the physical nature of the sport and the well-being of its players.
As for Kazee, the coming weeks will reveal whether he chooses to appeal the suspension and how he will prepare for a return to the field in the next season, with the hope of putting this chapter behind him.