According to the National Football League, Damontae Kazee, a safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was suspended without pay for the remainder of the season for what the league referred to as “repeated violations” of rules that were designed to safeguard player safety.
In light of the decision, which was made public on Monday by NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan, Kazee will be unable to participate in any of Pittsburgh’s next three regular-season games as well as any potential playoff games in the event that the Steelers (7-7) make it to the postseason.
As a result of his hit on diving Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. during the second quarter of Saturday’s game against Indianapolis, Kazee was removed from the game. The game ended in a 30-13 loss for Pittsburgh. Kazee made contact with Pittman’s head as he was attempting to grab a pass. Pittman spread out to try to catch the throw. After leaving the game, Pittman entered the concussion protocol and will be evaluated.
In a letter that Runyan sent to Kazee, he stated that the potentially illegal interaction with Pittman “could have been avoided.” Among the factors that led to Kazee’s suspension, Runyan cited the fact that he had repeatedly broken safety rules as one of the motivating factors.
