The pockets of Steelers LB James Harrison just got a little more full, as the league has announced they have reduced the biggest fine it levied the Steelers linebacker by one-third.
The fine was in question was the $75,000 find that Harrison was hit with his hit on Cleveland wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi in Pittsburgh back on October 17th. Harrison had lost his appeal, but today the league reduced the fine by $25,000 to $50,000.
“We’re very pleased with the reduction and it’s good step in the right direction,” said Harrison’s agent, Bill Parise.
Harrison has been hit four times this year with fines. The total of the fines was $125,000, but is now at $100,0000. Parise on Tuesday will appeal a $25,000 fine on Harrison for a hit in Buffalo November 28th of Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.
In a statement, the NFL said tonight:
“We can confirm the outcome of those appeals. The fines of Dunta Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons and Brandon Meriwether of the New England Patriots for flagrant hits against defenseless receivers have been reduced on appeal. The appeals officer, Ted Cottrell, reduced Robinson’s fine from $50,000 to $25,000 and Meriweather’s fine from $50,000 to $40,000. Following these decisions, Cottrell took the additional step of reviewing the appeal of James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Harrison was fined $75,000 earlier this season for a similar flagrant hit. Cottrell consulted with Commissioner Goodell about reducing Harrison’s fine to $50,000 and the commissioner fully supported the decision. Cottrell said he reduced the fines because the players said they understood the rules and have made efforts to adjust their techniques to play within the rules that protect player safety.”
Ben Dover
January 2, 2011 at 1:43 am
Roger Goodall is a total douche bag, the only reason that he has been piling up these fines is because this is a contract year.
For those of you who have never worked in a union shop this is a common practice that management uses against the rank and file. They file up work rule violations against hourly employees, then bring them to the bargining table and offer to make all of the violations go away if the union accepts their main demand, in this case, the 18 game schedule.
The reduction of this fine is an olive branch to the NFLPA heading into the upcoming negociations.
Goodall is a scumb bag whose demise can’t come quickly enough. I hope the players shove it up the owners rear-ends because they are resorting to slimy tactics like this.