Maurkice Pouncey's 3-Game Suspension is Modest and Practically Encourages Future Violent Retaliation
By Parker White
Myles Garrett's actions on Thursday night, in which he hit Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Randolph in the head with his own helmet, is a stain on the NFL.
Those kinds of things can't happen, which is why they suspended Garrett indefinitely. However, he wasn't the only player punished by the league.
Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey received a three-game suspension after kicking Garrett after he assaulted his quarterback.
Here is the #NFL's full statement from the Browns-Steelers brawl:
— Mark Bergin (@mdbergin) November 15, 2019
-Each organization is fined $250,000
-Myles Garrett is suspended w/o pay indefinitely. He is done for the year
-Maurkice Pouncey suspended for three games w/o pay
-Larry Ogunjobi is suspended w/o pay for one game pic.twitter.com/wC4twc0SdR
For some, Pouncey didn't deserve punishment, as he was just defending his teammate. That may be true, but the league can't overlook the fact he essentially mauled an opponent.
That's why Pouncey should've been made example of as well, as this modest punishment encourages retaliation, which I'm sure the NFL doesn't want.
my take that no one asked for:
— brian lasalle (@brianl1107) November 15, 2019
?criminal charges are a bit much.
?Garrett = 24 game suspension (remainder of this season is not enough) + Browns drop his ass
?Mason = 3 games for initiating it
?Ogunjobi / Pouncey = 5 games (dropped to 3 on appeal)@espn @FirstTake
When handing down suspensions in a situation this serious, the NFL needs to lay the hammer down hard, letting every player know that this kind of behavior is not acceptable. If not, we'll see more boundaries pushed, just as Garrett moved a barrier on Thursday night. The unthinkable is no more.
In a game predicated on violence, restrictions and punishment is necessary. Players clearly don't fear each other, making the rulebook all the more important.