News broke Monday afternoon that Ed Reed would be suspended for one game, without pay due to several penalties for illegal hits to the head and neck of opponents. NFL Vice President of Football Operations, Merton Hanks made the call of his punishment.
According to NFL.com, Reed will not be allowed to practice with the team this week, and will not be able to play against the Chargers this Sunday afternoon.
He has he had the penalty called on him twice this season, and a total of three times in the past three seasons. Last night he hit Emmanuel Sanders of the Steelers during the third quarter. Back in September, he was fined $21,000 for an illegal hit against the Patriots’ Deion Branch. Reed also paid a $10,000 fine in December 2010 when he was called on striking Drew Brees in the head.
The players were told in the 2012 Schedule of Fines that if they were fined in 2012 or 2011, their next violation would make them “second and/or repeat offenders.”
Reed is not the only player to be suspended under this rule. Joe Mays of the Denver Broncos found himself in the same situation back in September.
Ray Anderson, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations said “We cannot tolerate repeated violations of rules, especially rules related to player safety.” Anderson then went on to stress the importance of protecting the players.
Reed does have the opportunity to try to fight the charges in an appeal, but I’m guess it won’t end in his favor.
Although I am a fan of the Ravens, I do agree with the punishment. Football is an aggressive sport, and the league is only thinking of their players. Here’s hoping that the team can still pull out a win this weekend.
How do you think the Ravens will perform this weekend without Reed?
Back to the Baltimore Ravens Newsfeed