James Harrison suspended one game for hit on Colt McCoy
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James Harrison has been suspended one game without pay for his hit to the helmet of Colt McCoy, the NFL announced in a statement on Tuesday.
NFL Executive Vice President Ray Anderson said that Harrison is considered a “repeat offender” and is subject to harsh punishment under the terms of the new collective-bargaining agreement. The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker has been fined six times since 2009 for either illegal hits or unnecessary roughness, according to the NFL.
Harrison has three days to appeal the suspension with an expedited hearing to come before Sunday’s games. During the suspension, he will not be allowed to attend practice, appear at the practice facility or take part in any team activities.
The play took place during the Steelers’ Thursday night game against the Cleveland Browns. McCoy scrambled out of the pocket looking like he was going to run before flipping the ball to Montario Hardesty.
That’s when he was decked by Harrison, who was penalized for roughing the passer but has maintained he did nothing wrong.
‘He took off running with it, and at the last second he chucked and ducked,” Harrison said. ‘He tucked the ball and made like he was about to run, so I was going to tackle him.”
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-- Chuck Schilken
The Sports Xchange contributed to this report.
