Last week against the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt was flagged for roughing the passer on Lamar Jackson. The play itself was somewhat questionable but in this day and age of the NFL, protecting the quarterback is the league’s top priority so you get the flag.
But in addition, Tuitt also got himself a $21, 056 fine for the hit. This is the same fine Ravens safety Earl Thomas got for the helmet-to-helmet hit that knocked quarterback Mason Rudolph unconscious and put him in the concussion protocol.
In terms of equity, fining both players the same for what they did makes no sense. Tuitt’s play was merely a push on Jackon’s back as he was running out of bounds. But this is the state of the league. We can all sit around and complain all we like but the NFL is never going to go backward and suddenly put quarterbacks in harm’s way.
