Harrison appeals one-game suspension
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Browns quarterback Colt McCoy gets attention after receiving a hit from the Steelers' James Harrison.
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Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been suspended for one game by the National Football League for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy -- becoming the first player in 25 years to be suspended by the league for a tackle on the football field.
Harrison's agent Bill Parise, said he has appealed the suspension on behalf of his client. Harrison was not fined by the league, but he will be docked one game's pay for the suspension, or approximately $73,500.
Pending his appeal, Harriuson will not play in Monday night's game in San Francisco.
"We will ask for an expedited hearing because we're dealing with a suspension," Parise said.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who puclicly defended safety Ryan Clark last month when he was fined $40,000 for an illegal hit by the league, did not do that with Harrison during his weekly news conference today.
"He hit him, he hit him illegally, he has to suffer the consequences," Tomlin said.
"We're disappointed," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said of Harrison's suspension. "We're disappointed for James because we know how hard he's worked to play within the rules."
But "he has to be accountable for that so we accept the judgment rendered by the league office."
Tomlin continued: "He can't participate in any football activities with us this week. He'll be allowed in the building next Tuesday.
The NFL has suspended players for egregious actions on the football field, most recently Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who was given a two-game suspension for stomping on the arm of Green Bay Packers guard Evan Dietrich-Smith after a play.
Former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was given a five-game suspension in 2006 for raking his cleats across the head of Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode while he wasn't wearing a helmet.
But it hasn't suspended a player for a tackle since Packers defensive end Charles Martin was given a two-game suspension for body-slamming Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon to the ground in 1986.
"My job right now is to continue to read this and talk to my client and he and I together will make an intelligent decision and we'll move expediently," Parise said.
First Published December 13, 2011 12:00 am
