Ronnie Harrison Jr, Chiefs assistant learn NFL decision on punishment
The NFL has decided on what disciplinary actions to take against Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Harrison and the Kansas City Chiefs running back coach Greg Lewis. Both parties got into a physical altercation on the sideline of their week one game. It happened after Harrison helped tackle Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire early in the first quarter.
The NFL’s judgement
According to Tom Pelissero, neither will be suspended for their part in the shoving match. However, the former Alabama safety will see a decrease in his game check for this week.
“The NFL fined Browns safety Ronnie Harrison $12,128 for last week’s shoving match with #Chiefs RBs coach Greg Lewis, who wasn’t fined by the league but received a warning that any subsequent violations will result in discipline, according to team and league sources,” wrote Pelissero.
The NFL did not believe that the dust-up was egregious enough to remove either from the field for their week two games. They did think that Harrison’s push was more of an issue. A sentiment that was echoed by the officials in the game. They charged unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on both of them but only ejected Harrison from the game.
A memo to the league
To ensure that there are no repeats issues, the NFL sent out a memo to the rest of the league.
“Non-player personnel of a club (e.g., management personnel, coaches, trainers, equipment personnel) are prohibited from making unnecessary physical contact with or directing abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures at opponents, game officials, or representatives of the League. Penalty: Loss of 15 yards.”
The memo went on to say:
“As a reminder, club personnel attempting to address an issue involving players and/or staff from an opposing team should not make unnecessary physical contact with any individual who is not a member of his or her own club. Please contact a member of the Football Operations department with any questions.”
It’s clear that the NFL takes this matter very seriously. For them to not only intervene on an issue of discipline but to also notify all teams on what is acceptable in a situation like that shows that they do not want to see similar incidents in the future.
Both teams look to move on from that sideline scuffle and pick up wins in week two. After failing to hang on to their lead against the Cheifs, the Browns will try to secure their first win of the season against the Houston Texans. As for the Chiefs, they have a Sunday night game against the Baltimore Ravens. Kansas City has won three straight against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens and is looking to extend that streak.