After a rash of violent hits in week six, including two by Steelers linebacker James Harrison on Cleveland Browns receivers, the league announced a crackdown on what it called “devastating” hits, including fines and suspensions.
Harrison was fined $75,000 for his hit on Mohamed Massaquoi (his hit on Josh Cribbs, though it caused a head injury, was deemed legal), and shortly thereafter, announced that he was considering retiring from the NFL rather than having his aggressive style reined in.
He returned to be fined again, though: two weeks later, in week 8, he was fined $20,000 for a late hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and $25,000 for a lick on the Bills’ Ryan Fitzpatrick in week 12.
