Steelers' Damontae Kazee has no one to blame but himself for $200k mistake
The NFL just made an example out of Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee. While Pittsburgh appreciated the aggression and tone he brought to the field, the NFL did not. So following yet another violent hit, the league has taken affirmative action and Kazee has no real ground to stand on: A Chunk of Change Not […]
The NFL just made an example out of Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee.
While Pittsburgh appreciated the aggression and tone he brought to the field, the NFL did not.
So following yet another violent hit, the league has taken affirmative action and Kazee has no real ground to stand on:
A Chunk of Change
Not only has Kazee lost nearly $300k in game checks, but he is not allowed to play for the rest of the year (barring his appeal) due to being a repeat offender, something the NFL doesn't take lightly:
Those fines are from earlier this season, as Kazee racked up nearly $60k in fines before the Pittman Jr. hit that catalyzed the NFL's decision to suspend him.
But this isn't the first time Kazee has been reprimanded for his play on the field:
Kazee was ejected for that hit on Cam Newton back in 2018 when he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons.
So if this were a court case, you can see how the NFL has the appropriate amount of evidence to issue such a sentencing, even if Kazee and his representation look to appeal the decision:
"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," Kazee's agent Ron Butler told Josina Anderson of CBS Sports. 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punishment for being a 'repeat violator' you have to remember most of his fines that were assessed this season got rescinded after appeal.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."
We'll see what comes of Kazee's suspension. As stated earlier, his brother said some of the fines were reduced and the NFLPA was created to defend players in such instances.
But I'm afraid Kazee's reputation proceeds himself in this situation, with the NFL putting the rest of the league's defenders on notice.
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