The NFL has just handed Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker James Harrison a one game suspension for his helmet to face mask hit on Browns’ Quarterback Colt McCoy last Thursday night. Harrison, who will be the first player to miss a game under the league’s revamped collision policy, laughed off the NFL’s decision to suspend him.
Shortly after the announcement was made. Harrison tweeted:
“LOL!!! Thank you to all my fans and supporters, I’m just going to move on from here and get ready for my next game.”
The Associated Press reports that Harrison is filing an appeal. Harrison told reporters:
“If I would have really hit him, I would have close to knocked him out.”
Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin also stood by his player, saying:
“We’re disappointed. We’re disappointed for James because we know how hard he’s worked to play within the rules. We accept the judgment rendered by the league office and we’ll move forward.”
The LA Times reports that Harrison’s case will be heard by either Art Shell or Ted Cottrell, who will have to determine if Harrison intended to hit and hurt McCoy. Harrison was given a roughing the passer penalty for the play. The linebacker said that the on-field penalty should have been the only penalty handed out by the NFL.
Ray Anderson, the NFL Executive Vice President, said that the suspension was given to Harrison because it was his fifth illegal hit on a quarterback in the last three seasons.
Here’s James Harrison’s hit on Colt McCoy.
Harrison’s suspension isn’t the only controversial aspect of this play. Colt McCoy, who received a concussion during the hit, returned the game.
Do you think James Harrison deserved a suspension for his hit on Colt McCoy?
