As a football fan, I love seeing people get hit. I'm not talking about lame tackles that subsequently bring the ball carrier down. I'm talking violent, bone-crushing, smash mouth football. And I know that I'm not the only one. It's exciting. It's part of the game. It's why people watch football. But while we, the fans, are perched high atop the bleachers, one can lose sight of just how dangerous this sport is. Sure, they wear pads and helmets, but that doesn't make it safe. I'm not talking about a player tearing a hamstring while running with the football or a QB hurting his elbow or shoulder while throwing the ball. Some of these hits are downright scary. Sometimes, the person getting tackled isn't the one getting hurt the most. On Saturday, Rutgers DL Eric LeGrand went for a tackle and is now paralyzed from the neck down. Things like this don't usually happen, but when they do occur, it makes you realize just how dangerous this game can be. Sidenote, you should send LeGrand a get well message. I'm sure he'd like it.
Everyone knows that the Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the most ferocious defenses in the NFL today. So when the Browns went into Pittsburgh this past Sunday, nobody expected a big offensive day for Cleveland. One man wrecking-crew James Harrison made sure that the Browns offense wouldn't have a big day, by single handedly taking out two key offensive players for the Cleveland Browns. The first hit was on Josh Cribbs on a wildcat play. Cribbs was already being tackled by a Steelers defender when Harrison leveled him, causing him to fumble the ball. Cribbs had control of the ball, and thus no flag was thrown on the play. However, if you think there was no foul on the play, you should get your eyes checked. The Browns star kick-returner was lying on the ground. Harrison said of the hit on Cribbs: "I thought Cribbs was asleep. A hit like that geeks you up, especially when you find out the guy is not really hurt, he's just sleeping. He's knocked out but he's going to be OK." You're right, James-he'll be okay. Maybe in a week or so, when he recovers from his concussion. Let's be honest-hit was brutal, but it was nothing compared to what Mohamed Massaquoi endured from Harrison. Massaquoi was Colt McCoy's intended receiver, and Harrison destroyed him, breaking up the pass. Watch the highlights. Scroll down to the Massaquoi injury video, and listen to how loud that hit is. It's chilling. Harrison's general reaction to the hits are equally disturbing "If I get fined for that, it's going to be a travesty. They didn't call [a penalty] on that. There's no way I could be fined for that. It was a good, clean legit hit. ... I didn't hit that hard, to be honest with you".
What's my bottom line? The NFL needs to fine James Harrison, and any other player who launches himself, helmet first into any player- big time. Helmet-to-helmet hits are not an essential part of the game. I seriously hope that the NFL starts consistently fining players for these gruesome hits. It's not football. It's brutality.
