Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is known as a quiet player. He's very respectful, religious, and isn't as "rah-rah" as someone like Joey Porter. He just plays the game of football with reckless abandon, plowing through blockers to get to the ball carrier and running sideline to sideline to make plays. He doesn't celebrate, he doesn't taunt, he doesn't draw attention to himself.
That's why it's so surprising that he spoke out against the NFL today. In the last 2 weeks, 4 different Steelers have drawn fines from the NFL. James Harrison was fined $20,000 for alledging that the officials in the Steelers-Jaguars game "might have [had] money on it." Nate Washington was fined $7,500 for taunting. Ryan Clark was also fined $7,500 for unnecessary roughness (a late hit).
And finally, wide receiver Hines Ward was fined twice (for a total of $15,000) for unnecessary roughness, when he was not penalized on the play.
That's why it's so surprising that he spoke out against the NFL today. In the last 2 weeks, 4 different Steelers have drawn fines from the NFL. James Harrison was fined $20,000 for alledging that the officials in the Steelers-Jaguars game "might have [had] money on it." Nate Washington was fined $7,500 for taunting. Ryan Clark was also fined $7,500 for unnecessary roughness (a late hit).
And finally, wide receiver Hines Ward was fined twice (for a total of $15,000) for unnecessary roughness, when he was not penalized on the play.
Even Chad OchoCinco, an intra-division rival who is known for his antics, disagrees with the fines to Ward:
"Unnecessary roughness? That doesn't make any sense. I am serious; that doesn't
make any sense at all. Hines has always been probably the best darned blocker in the NFL. I don't understand where you get unnecessary roughness from. That is not even a rule."-Bengals WR Chad OchoCinco
I can understand why Washington, Harrison, and Clark were fined. But Ward's fines are ridiculous. So ridiculous that one of the most soft-spoken players in the game feels to the need to say something about it. Polamalu said the following (along with the quote to the left of the post, under "explosive comments") :
"I think regarding the evolution of football, it's becoming more and more
flag football, two-hand touch. We've really lost the essence of what real
American football is about."-Steelers SS Troy Polamalu
Polamalu is exactly right. Under Roger Goodell, the NFL (nicknamed the "No Fun League") has enacted heavy measures against celebrations and hits, especially against the quarterback. Because of these new measures, defensive players must watch their hits against the quarterback, because if they hit him too hard or too low (or high), then they will be penalied and fined, though it is not always consistent. Simple celebrations, such as a dance in the endzone, are now penalized.
With the new rules and the fines being dished out, Polamalu believes the game "loses its essence" and becomes a "pansy game."
Careful there, Troy. Soon you'll be joining your teammates in paying your fines to the NFL.
With the new rules and the fines being dished out, Polamalu believes the game "loses its essence" and becomes a "pansy game."
Careful there, Troy. Soon you'll be joining your teammates in paying your fines to the NFL.
1 comment:
Only in Commissioner Goddy Goddy-del's league could a football player get fined for playing too rough.
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