Michael Pittman Jr. (No. 11), wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts, secures a pass just before a collision with Damontae Kazee (No. 23), safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis on Saturday, December 16, 2023. The play led to an injury for Pittman, and Kazee was ejected from the game. Photo credit: Michael Conroy / The Associated Press."
Following a forceful hit on Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. last Saturday, the NFL has suspended Steelers safety Damontae Kazee without pay for the remaining three regular-season games and any potential playoff games. The league announced this disciplinary action on Monday, attributing it to Kazee’s repeated violations of rules aimed at safeguarding player health and safety.
Violation of Player Safety Rules
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan suspended based on a violation of the rule that deems it a foul if a player “forcibly hits the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, face mask, forearm, or shoulder, even if the initial contact is lower than the player’s neck, and regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him.”
In a letter addressed to Kazee, Runyan pointed out that the Steelers safety had an “unobstructed path” to Pittman, and that “illegal contact could have been avoided.”
Game Incident Details
The incident occurred with 8:49 remaining in the 2nd quarter, leading the league to consider it a serious violation of playing rules. The video evidence showed a forcible blow to the head/neck area of Colts’ receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who was in a defenseless posture. Runyan wrote “You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided. Your actions were flagrant, and as a result, you were disqualified from the game.”
Coach Tomlin’s Perspective
Coach Mike Tomlin said after the game the ejection came from “New York,” and on Monday he said Kazee isn’t “a dirty player.”
“Usually I talk about lowering the target,” Tomlin said when asked about coaching points he gives his safeties. “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.
“Sometimes it’s just professional football today, and how difficult it is to operate, but the National Football League is really clear, man. They put a hundred percent of the onus on the defender in those circumstances. It’s unfortunate, but we understand it.”
Kazee’s Penalty History
Kazee has accumulated a history of fines this season, receiving penalties five times for various unnecessary roughness violations, totalling $59,030. Runyan’s letter notes Kazee’s status as a repeat offender as a contributing factor to the suspension, amounting to approximately $208,000 in lost salary.
“When players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, and particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player, it is appropriate to impose substantially greater penalties,” Runyan wrote.
Tom Brady’s Reaction
Tom Brady, a retired quarterback who criticized the NFL’s safety-related rule changes, commented on Kazee’s suspension under SportsCenter post on Instagram.
“Nobody likes seeing players hurt. But hard hits happen. QBs should not be throwing the ball in areas where they are exposing their own teammates to these types of hits,” he wrote. “Coaches need to coach better, QBs need to read coverages and throw the ball to the right places and defenders should aim for the right hitting areas. To put the blame on the defense player all the time is just flat out wrong. Need better QB play!! It’s not OK QBs to get your WRs hit because of your bad decisions!”
Reaction from Colts Coach
Colts assistant secondary coach Mike Mitchell tweeted Monday, “I don’t know what to tell my safeties anymore.
“I guess just let them catch it. If I were a WR I would dive for every catch. That would ensure no contact and a completed pass. Playing deep safety in today’s nfl where rules are made mostly by people who’ve never played is tough.”
Appeal Option for Kazee
Kazee has the option to appeal the suspension under the collective bargaining agreement. If he chooses to do so, Derrick Brooks or James Thrash, the hearing officers, would handle the appeal.
Injury Ramifications
Pittman entered the concussion protocol after the hit and did not return to the game.
The Steelers faced further setbacks as safety Minkah Fitzpatrick suffered a knee injury in the next play. This rules him out for the upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.
This report used information from ESPN.
