NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that Detroit Lions linebacker Jamie Collins won’t face further suspension after “unnecessary contact” with an official in Week 1.
For a quick refresher of the incident: after Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery finished a run play, Collins objected to Montgomery “lowering his head” — an offensive penalty — and went to complain to the referee about it. Unfortunately, it looked like the referee’s attention was elsewhere and when Collins demonstrated Montgomery’s act, Collins made unnecessary contact with the official.
Here’s a quick clip of the contact:
Lions LB Jamie Collins was ejected after making contact with an official with his helmet. pic.twitter.com/yvSAH5lwZ7
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 13, 2020
NFL rules on contact with an official are clear: Don’t do it.
Collins did, and he deserved to be ejected.
Now the next step in the incident evaluation process is for the NFL is to decide if the contact was intentional and deserved a further suspension. According to Pelissero, the NFL will not pursue further action.
#Lions LB Jamie Collins won’t be suspended for the incident with an official that led to his ejection Sunday, I’m told.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 14, 2020
Common sense wins in this decision. Collins made an unnecessary action that resulted in an ejection but it’s clear from the video above, and the live coverage surrounding the incident, that there was no intent to be disrespectful.
