Ravens safety Ed Reed is still not happy about how the NFL legislates helmet-to-helmet hits, fines and suspensions.
Reed won a recent appeal of a one-game suspension for repeated helmet-to-helmet hits. Instead of being docked a games pay, Reeds penalty was reduced to a $50,000 fine. But Reed said he was still upset about being portrayed as a headhunter.
Its an ongoing process, of them trying to protect us, protect the game, Reed said in the locker room following Sundays loss to the Steelers. But I never played the game like that in 11 years, to go out and just hurt people. I felt like thats what they were trying to do.
After 11 years, now Im dirty? That hurt me. For one, my kid is going to grow up and see that. My parents look at that, and like, 'OK, is this my son for real? Im not out there trying to hurt these guys. This is a brotherhood. Sometimes things happen. Guys get hurt. Its football.
All of a sudden, the NFL is about to be sued, for all the stuff that they havent protected over the years, and they havent done. Now they want to take it out on us? Take it out on yourself. Its easy for them to do the things theyre doing, fining us and make us look bad."
Reed said the leagues desire for offensive fireworks has made it tougher for defensive players.
They want more points, Reed said. Thats going to attract fans. Source: Sporting News Attached Thumbnails
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December 03, 2012
