Seymour fined $25k; no suspension - New England Patriots Forums

Ron Sellers · 11-22-2010, 06:29 PM

I know this belongs in the NFL forum, but I figured I'd post it here first and mods can move it there later.

NFL.com news: Raiders' Seymour fined $25K for striking Steelers' Roethlisberger

Quote:

Oakland Raiders defensive end Richard Seymour has been fined $25,000 for striking Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, reports NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora, via a league source.

Steelers linebacker James Harrison feels that the NFL should suspend Seymour, who was ejected after punching Roethlisberger in the jaw with an open hand in the Steelers' 35-3 win on Sunday.

"I don't see why not," Harrison told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "They're trying to suspend guys for hits when that's within the whistles, some hits that guys can't even stop from doing. It's an adjustment that a receiver makes to what you are about to do to him, and you end up hitting helmet to helmet. You're talking about suspending a guy for that? You tell me what the next step is for a guy who blatantly, outside the play, it's already thrown, and a guy is going to celebrate with his teammates and you punch him in the face."

***KontradictioN*** · 11-22-2010, 06:33 PM

It almost makes me sick to do so, but I agree with James Harrison. Very valid point. Seymour should be fined and suspended for at least one game. Don't get me wrong, I loved it. But it doesn't matter who he did it to... you don't punch someone else in the face in the middle of a game. If the league is going to threaten to suspend guys for helmet-to-helmet hits that can't be avoided, they should absolutely suspend the guys who consciously make the decision punch their opponents in the jaw.

Ron Sellers · 11-22-2010, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KontradictioN

It almost makes me sick to do so, but I agree with James Harrison. Very valid point. Seymour should be fined and suspended for at least one game. Don't get me wrong, I loved it. But it doesn't matter who he did it to... you don't punch someone else in the face in the middle of a game. If the league is going to threaten to suspend guys for helmet-to-helmet hits that can't be avoided, they should absolutely suspend the guys who consciously make the decision punch their opponents in the jaw.

I'm guessing the fact Seymour was ejected and missed more than half of the game as a result may have had something to do with the decision to not suspend him.

***PatsDeb*** · 11-22-2010, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Sellers

I'm guessing the fact Seymour was ejected and missed more than half of the game as a result may have had something to do with the decision to not suspend him.

I'm also wondering what Big Ben said to provoke the hit.

***shmessy*** · 11-22-2010, 06:40 PM

Wow.

They went really light on Big Sey there.

There must have been some mitigating evidence against Roethlisberger.

***KontradictioN*** · 11-22-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Sellers

I'm guessing the fact Seymour was ejected and missed more than half of the game as a result may have had something to do with the decision to not suspend him.

To me, it's irrelevant when the infraction in question occurred in the game. The crime still happened. I doubt it's going to matter what quarter James Harrison commits a helmet-to-helmet penalty in. If he does it, he's likely going to get suspended regardless. Same should have happened with Seymour.

But, then again, one can make the argument that Seymour is a first time offender as well.

SoonerPatriot · 11-22-2010, 06:45 PM

Love the fact there's no suspension.

Love that the fine is shockingly low. I was expecting 50-100k.

Interesting aspect to this has been the fan reaction. Looking at comments on Yahoo Sports, PFT etc. and there's a lot of "he had it coming" sentiment from people who don't appear to have a dog in this fight.

If he had done it to Matt Ryan or Flacco I don't think you would see anyone taking up for Seymour.

***apple strudel*** · 11-22-2010, 06:45 PM

We should all pitch in to help pay the fine. Totally worth $20. Would pay more for another.

***apple strudel*** · 11-22-2010, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmessy

There must have been some mitigating evidence against Roethlisberger.

Multiple eyewitnesses corroborating the victim's account. Oh, wait.

MustaphaM0nd · 11-22-2010, 06:47 PM

From a pure safety standpoint, is a palm to the facemask while standing more or less dangerous than leading with the crown at the side of someones head at full speed?

I would have suspended him, but to respond to Harrison, perhaps what Seymour did is not as dangerous