“Holy soft league” – Steelers’ Damontae Kazee getting suspended for remainder of season for a ‘dirty’ hit against the Colts has fans baffled

Social media torn whether to support Damontae Kazee or to condemn his challenge on Colts Michael Pittman Jr.

“Holy soft league” – Steelers’ Damontae Kazee getting suspended for remainder of season for a ‘dirty’ hit against the Colts has fans baffled

Damontae Kazee tackling Michael Pittman Jr. (Image via ESPN)

Social media is at an impasse on whether Damontae Kazee‘s challenge to Michael Pittman Jr. was legal or not. This has once again raised the question of whether the NFL is becoming soft, as Tom Brady pointed out a short while ago.

Football being a contact sport, there will be a few challenges flying in. That is to be expected because sometimes the defenders have to take matters into their own hands to stop an attack. But in recent times, the NFL has tried its best to make the game safer for players, limiting the ferocious side.

On Sunday night, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee threw himself at Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in the second quarter to intercept the play. As a result, both players collided mid-air, and the referees threw multiple yellows on the ground, judging the tackle as dangerous play.

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The 30-year-old was ejected as the Steelers lost their third straight game, 30-13. One day later, NFL insider Tom Pellisero announced that the league was suspending Kazee for the challenge on Pittman. Pellisero tweeted,

The NFL is suspending Steelers safety Damontae Kazee without pay for the remainder of the regular season and any potential postseason games for repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players.

Netizens are torn about the NFL suspending Damontae Kazee for an alleged dangerous tackle on Michael Pittman Jr.

This ruling from the NFL committee is a polarizing decision for many. Not only has it ticked off fans who believe that football is losing its moxy by penalizing hard-hitting players, but it has also created a sense of discontent in players about going for challenges similar to Kazee’s.

“Holy soft league” – Steelers’ Damontae Kazee getting suspended for remainder of season for a ‘dirty’ hit against the Colts has fans baffled Michael Pittman Jr
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (Image via Bleacher Report)

On the other hand, those who prefer the finesse side of the game argue it was a dangerous tackle, and Kazee could have avoided it. They make the case that Pittman could have easily ended up in the hospital.

Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs also took a hit from Kazee before the ejection. The 22-year-old said he was relieved that nothing too serious happened to Pittman Jr.

I had gotten hit on the drive before and got laid out. That was two back-to-back, but his (Michael Pittman Jr.’s) was much worse than mine. I’m just glad he’s OK.
Downs told Colts writer Nate Atkins after the game

Former Steelers player Mike Mitchell, who is now part of the Colts coaching staff, defended Kazee. Mitchell tweeted,

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.
https://twitter.com/iammikemitchell/status/1736843808501870643

Well, this will continue to be a debatable topic as long as the NFL committee agrees on something concrete as to how the game should be played going forward. For now, both the Steelers and the Colts are fighting for a place in the playoffs. The Steelers are 7-7, and the Colts are 8-6.

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