Damontae Kazee a été suspendu par la National Football League en raison de “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players”. Cette décision a été prise après que Kazee a frappé Michael Pittman des Colts, qui a quitté le terrain avec une concussion.
Because of “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players,” the NFL suspended Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee without paying for the remainder of the regular season and any possible postseason games.
The ban follows Kazee’s ejection from Saturday’s 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts following a hit on defenseless wide receiver Michael Pittman, who remained on the ground following the forceful hit and was eventually declared out of the game due to a concussion.
NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote to Kazee, saying, “With 8:49 remaining in the second quarter, you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules.”
“The unlawful contact might have been prevented, and you had an open route to your opponent. You were eliminated from the game due to your egregious behavior.”
The league added that Kazee’s prior record played a role in his ban.
“When players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, and particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player, it is appropriate to impose substantially greater penalties,” Runyan stated.
Kazee has the right, per league regulations, to challenge the suspension. The NFLPA and the NFL designated two hearing officers in tandem to consider these challenges.
Kazee is a member of the Steelers for his second season. He inked a two-year contract in March, which includes a $1.75 million signing bonus and wages of $1.25 million in 2023 and $3 million in 2024.
In September of last year, the 30-year-old was also given a three-game suspension for breaking the league’s drug-abuse policy.
In 92 career games (62 starts), Kazee has 16 interceptions between the Steelers (2021), Dallas Cowboys (2021), and Atlanta Falcons (2017–20).
