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 play’s video indicates that you struck Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. violently while he was in a helpless position, striking him in the head and neck area.
“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 also highlighted Kazee’s past experience as a factor in the 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 in his second season with the Steelers. 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).
