The problem with football

It's easy to say I'm a huge fan of football. I'm the girl in the stands of Beaver Stadium screaming her head off at the defense when they miss a tackle or the wide receiver if he comes short off an easy catch.

Recently, the big news regarding football deals with illegal hits. James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers has already paid over $100,000 in fines since the NFL has decided to crack down on illegal hits. Originally, I was a big supporter of the change because after seeing the scary hit that Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson placed on DeSean Jackson during the October 17th Eagles/Falcons game in which both Jackson and Robinson suffered concussions.

But... there may be a slight problem with this new rule that I'm seeing. Here's the good portion- sending the signal that there are certain things players shouldn't do when making a hit. For example, the Sunday Night Eagles/Giants game two weeks ago showed why the rule is good. Asante Samuel was flagged and fined for a ridiculous and unnecessary hit on one of the Giants players. Even an Eagles fan can admit that was unnecessary. But... are fines helping?

I read somewhere a few weeks ago that a frequent NFL commentator said. He was a former NFL player known for big hits on players and he said something interesting. "You didn't get my attention by giving me fines- it was pocket change for me. You got my attention when you suspended me."

Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers is blasting this new rule, saying it's hypocritical and ruining the game of football, known for being a contact sport. He took examples of telling players that they couldn't drink but there are millions of commercials during games for beer. He also added that this is because the NFL wants to make the season even longer. He believes they don't care for the safety of the players but rather themselves, and added that the Steelers will not change how they play football.

So... does that mean suspension should happen? Maybe. But, that leads to my question... is James Harrison really deserving of these fines? He has been known for being an aggressive player. In my opinion, Harrison is getting these fines for his, let's say "misguided" quote on why he hits hard. Harrison said, "I try to hurt people, not injure them, but hurt them." That's great, but the only thing is people only heard the first part of the sentence. The headlines across the net all said the same thing, "Steelers LB Harrison: I try to hurt players."

Tisk, tisk. There are times when I think this new rule is a good idea, because some players give their opponents ridiculous hits. But fines won't teach them anything. A suspension might. Though, I feel the league is picking and choosing who they give these fines to. Harrison has been fined every week since the new rule. Asante Samuel has been fined a few times as well. But not everyone has been fined for hits.

And let's talk about Andre Johnson and Cortland Finnegan. The Texans and Titans' stars, respectively, didn't just hit each other during Sunday's game. They fought like it was a boxing match in the middle of the field. Want to know their punishment? Each fined $25,000; no suspension; oh I forgot, Andre Johnson was given the game ball for the win.

HUH?

I rewatched the video of the incident on YouTube. It was clearly Johnson who instigated the fight. He threw off Finnegan's helmet and threw two punches at him. But don't count Finnegan out necessarily- he fought too. But, why wasn't either one suspended? I can understand Finnegan, but Johnson not suspended and just given a fine? The Texan's elite receiver?

Give me a break NFL. You want to make sure your players are safe? Fines won't send messages- suspensions will. Johnson will play tomorrow night in a big showdown with the Eagles like nothing happened and will have forgotten he has $25,000 in his bank account when he makes over $5.5 million.

And of course, there was the Richard Seymour punching Ben Rothlisberger in the face. He was also fined only $25,000, but I see that being okay. After all, it was Ben, I would want to hit him too. But, I could see a suspension being justified in that instance. I feel that if the NFL wants credibility, you can't pick and choose who you fine and suspend. Rules are rules.

Although, I only see this as a more recent problem. We never saw too many concussions or helmet problems "back in the day," and I'm only 20. I asked my parents and they agreed. So is the helmets to blame? Maybe players aren't using their helmets correctly or putting them on properly? Maybe they aren't made like they used to be made. Maybe they aren't being taught how to hit? Maybe they don't understand what's illegal versus legal hit-wise.

Something's gotta give. These dirty hits are wrong, but if you want to hold these players accountable, fine them first and THEN suspend them. Maybe they will learn their lesson. Of course, in Johnson's case, he should have skipped the fine. But still, the NFL wants the game to be about the game, hold every player accountable, not just certain ones.