Earlier in the week, the NFL indicated that no suspensions would be handed out as a result of the altercation in the Cleveland Browns game against the Kansas City Chiefs, but fines were still possible.
Of course, this is related to the incident that caused Ronnie Harrison to be ejected from the game.
Saturday, the league followed up by issuing a fine to Harrison in the amount of $12,128.
If you are wondering if Greg Lewis, the Chiefs running back coach also involved in the incident, received a fine also, the answer is no.
Seems the NFL left him off with just a warning.
Though he shoved Harrison to initiate the exchange, he was not fined or ejected from the game; only Harrison was penalized in these ways.
What Does It Mean
It does not send a good message.
Harrison was wrong to push Lewis, and he is paying the price literally.
Lewis should also be penalized; many believe this to be true including NFL PA President, Browns center JC Tretter.
Tretter said the coaches should be held to the same or higher standard and be penalized accordingly.
Myles Garrett thought Lewis should have been ejected from the game also.
No one really knows how the NFL decides upon fines and punishments; it is almost as though the league acts as its own judge and jury.
Game film showing the incident is definitely used, but beyond that, it is not clear if interviews and other data gathering methods are used to get first hand information.
Coach Stefanski’s Reaction To The Incident
Stefanski pointed out the obvious.
The second guy is usually the fall guy in these encounters.
“I talked to Ronnie. It’s the oldest thing in football, in sport – the game officials always see the second guy, and Ronnie’s got to show some poise there and not retaliate.”
Stefanski said that the NFL did send out a communication regarding the behavior of coaches and staff members; it reminded them to conduct themselves accordingly.
The Browns must move on and focus on Week 2 and the Texans; kick-off is at 1:00 PM EDT Sunday afternoon.
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