Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee is set to miss the remainder of the NFL season, including any potential playoff games, following a suspension by the league on Monday.
The decision stems from Kazee's actions during Saturday's 30-13 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts, where he was ejected for a hit on Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman that resulted in a concussion.
According to the league’s playing rules, it is considered a foul if a player "forcibly hits the defenseless player's head or neck area with the helmet, face mask, forearm, or shoulder." This applies even if the initial contact is below the neck, and regardless of whether the defensive player uses their arms in the tackle.
NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan deemed it a serious violation of the playing rules. In a letter addressed to Kazee, Runyan emphasized that the Steelers' safety had an "unobstructed path" to Pittman and that the "illegal contact could have been avoided."
The NFL also justified the suspension by pointing to Kazee's "repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players." Kazee has faced fines five times this season for various unnecessary roughness violations, amounting to a total of $59,030. His repeat offender status would cost him approximately $208,000 in salary.
The 30-year-old player is now in his second season with the Steelers after signing a two-year deal in March. The contract includes a $1.75 million signing bonus and salaries of $1.25 million in 2023, followed by $3 million in 2024.
Coaches, retired player weigh in on incident
In response to the ejection of Kazee during Saturday's game against the Colts, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin addressed the situation and defended Kazee, saying that the safety is "not a dirty player."
"Usually I talk about lowering the target," said Tomlin about his coaching. "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.”
Tomlin acknowledged the challenges of professional football and the NFL's strict stance, which placed the responsibility on the defender in such circumstances.
Retired quarterback Tom Brady, known for his outspoken views on NFL rule changes related to player safety, also shared his perspective on Kazee's suspension. Brady highlighted the need for better coaching, quarterback decision-making and defender targeting, suggesting that blame should not always be placed on the defensive player.
"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 commented on an Instagram post.
"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!"
Meanwhile, Colts assistant secondary coach and former Steelers defensive back Mike Mitchell expressed his frustration on his social media. Mitchell questioned how to advise safety in the current NFL climate.
"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,” he wrote on his X account.
“Playing deep safety in today's NFL where rules are made mostly by people who've never played is tough."
According to league rules, Kazee has the option to appeal the suspension. The hearing will be overseen by officers appointed by the NFL and the players' association.