Why was Pittsburgh’s head couch suspended, and when will he be reinstated?

Why was Pittsburgh’s head couch suspended, and when will he be reinstated?

What appeared to be a particularly heinous tackle has resulted in an indefinite suspension and doubt from the game’s perhaps finest player.

Following a humiliating shutout defeat at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts, it looks like the Pittsburgh Steelers’ list of problems is growing. At this point, it’s not so much a question of whether their player can learn a lesson as it is of whether it will even matter because their season may be done by the time he does.

Damontae Kazee has been suspended by the NFL for the remainder of the season.
At first appearance, it appears that the NFL is taking illegal hits seriously. Indeed, the league has penalized Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee indefinitely for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. during the Steelers’ 30-13 Week 15 loss on the road. According to the league, Kazee will not play again in the 2023 regular season, and he will be ineligible for any potential postseason games if the Steelers (7-7) make them. In a letter to Kazee, NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan stated:

“You were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules with 8:49 remaining in the second quarter.” According to the video of the play, you delivered a violent blow to the head/neck area of Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who was in a vulnerable posture. You had an unimpeded approach to your opponent and could have avoided the illegal contact. Because your activities were egregious, you were disqualified from the game. where players repeatedly breach the regulations meant to safeguard player safety, and especially where the offenses pose a serious risk of injury to an opposing player, it is justified to apply much harsher penalties.”

Damontae Kazee, what exactly did you do?
Kazee delivered a nasty tackle on the Colts’ pass catcher during the second quarter of Saturday’s game, effectively flying into his head/neck area as the Colts’ player was diving for the ball. Replays of the incident suggest that Kazee’s hit on Pittman crossed a line as the latter attempted to catch the ball. The 26-year-old was later hauled out of the game due to a concussion.

Is the NFL’s suspension of Damontae Kazee too harsh?

Whether it is or isn’t doesn’t negate the fact that in keeping with the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement, Kazee can still appeal the decision. As per his agent, that’s the intention:

“I want to bring light to the situation of defensive players who are in a position feeling like they have to make plays to keep their job, but also not having any intent to injure,” Ron Butler said. “This is the most I’ve dealt with fines since I’ve been an agent. I understand they’re trying to clean up the game, but at this point it’s a bit extreme. As for the notion of Kazee receiving a harsher punishment for being a ‘repeat violator’ you have to remember most of his fines that were assessed this season got rescinded after appeal. So we have to be careful about that classification and narrative.”

On the other hand, video of the incident does not work in his favor i.e., the league’s stance appears to be fair. In his seventh season in the NFL, Kazee has been a solid contributor for the Steelers since arriving two campaigns ago. The 30-year-old has got two interceptions this season and looked to be building a rhythm despite the team’s woes. Ultimately, none of that matters now, as he won’t be taking the field again until next season.