The Pittsburgh Steelers are killing it in the preseason! Whether it’s the preseason bout against the Bills or the Bucs, the Black and Gold are back, hoping to become a Super Bowl contender once again, possibly clinching the top spot, surpassing the Patriots. However, a shadow was cast over their success as star linebacker Kwon Alexander faced league sanctions, resulting in a hefty fine that left fans outraged, even drawing the attention of Pat McAfee himself.
Less than a week after his electrifying preseason kickoff match, the league announced an astonishing fine of $43,709 for the Pro Bowler due to the illegal use of a helmet and unnecessary roughness. This substantial penalty triggered a storm of online criticism, with even the sports analyst sharing his two cents in on the contentious matter.
Pat McAfee sees this rule hindering athletes
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Alexander’s debut with his new team against his former team was nothing out of the ordinary, even the tackle on RB Chase Edmonds, who shrugged it off on the field. Nonetheless, this tackle quickly caught the league’s attention, as they’ve been striving to eliminate head-involved tackles that can lead to serious injuries. However, as it is only a preseason game, the big fine bothered everyone, especially McAfee, who revealed how veterans are paid $3200 a week in the preseason, and now one of them is getting fined such a significant amount, for a simple hit.
At the start of the video, McAfee ridiculed the league for branding Alexander as a repeat offender, pointing out that the tackle targeted the chest, not the head, warranting such an excessive fine. He emphasized that this rule wasn’t widely known, and its enforcement might discourage players from fully engaging in the game. Co-host AJ Hawk chimed in, noting how athletes might defy their coaches’ decisions in future matches due to the weighty fine. McAfee concurred and introduced the notion that players might hesitate to execute tackles, remarking, ‘That’s Wild.‘
Expressing dissatisfaction with the punishment, even the Steelers’ star linebacker commented on the situation, sharing his perspective and outlining his intentions moving forward.
Will Kwon Alexander appeal the fine?
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According to ESPN NFL reporter Brooke Pryor, the linebacker personally disclosed his intent to appeal the fine. Alexander further added, “I can’t do nothing about it. .. You know how the league is nowadays. You can’t even hit too hard right now. You barely can touch him. I still just got to play my game. I can’t let that take away from my game. That’s how I play.” Fans all over the community have shown their hesitancy with the hefty fine, leading to a huge backlash on social media.
Kwon Alexander told me he is appealing this fine.
"I can't do nothing about it. .. You know how the league is nowadays. You can't even hit too hard right now. You barely can touch him. I still just got to play my game. I can't let that take away from my game. That's how I play." https://t.co/gmdU98650m
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 21, 2023
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As events continue to evolve, only time will reveal whether the league chooses to reconsider the severity of the fine imposed on Alexander. Meanwhile, the Steelers have showcased their dominance in the preseason, positioning themselves as formidable contenders against the defending champions. With accomplished linebackers like Alexander bolstering their roster, the team will surely reach great heights in the upcoming season.
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