Tom Brady criticizes the Colts quarterback instead of Damontae Kazee for the aggressive hit on Michael Pittman Jr., even though the Steelers safety was suspended for the rest of the season due to a tackle.
Tom Brady has presented a different perspective on the suspension of Damontae Kazee, the Pittsburgh Steelers safety, indicating that Kazee might not deserve blame for his forceful hit on Michael Pittman Jr., the Indianapolis Colts wide receiver.
Kazee faced suspension by the NFL for the remainder of the season due to unnecessary roughness leading to his ejection during the Steelers’ game against the Colts. The league cited repeated violations of safety rules for this penalty.
Despite Kazee’s impactful collision with Pittman, Brady argued that quarterbacks should bear responsibility for such plays rather than defensive players. He expressed this view in response to an Instagram post from Sportscenter announcing Kazee’s suspension, highlighting that quarterbacks should avoid throwing in ways that expose their teammates to such hits.
Brady emphasized the need for improved coaching, quarterback decision-making, and defender targeting areas, asserting that blaming defensive players exclusively is unjust. He suggested that quarterbacks should be accountable for the safety of their receivers.
Pittman’s attempt to catch the ball led to the collision with Kazee, resulting in a concussion for Pittman. Brady and Kazee’s agent, Ron Butler, both contested the severity of the suspension, highlighting the pressures on defensive players to make plays without intending harm.
This situation echoes Brady’s earlier stance in 2021, emphasizing the responsibility of quarterbacks to safeguard their wide receivers rather than solely relying on defenders to protect offensive players. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin also expressed dissatisfaction with the suspension, acknowledging the strict emphasis placed on defenders in the NFL’s rules.
Tomlin acknowledged the difficulty of navigating professional football’s demands today but recognized the league’s clear attribution of responsibility to the defender in such circumstances, despite its unfortunate outcomes.
