Tom Brady takes issue with NFL suspension for Steelers’ Damontae Kazee
The NFL suspended Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee for the remainder of the 2023 season on Monday for a hit he laid on Colts wideout Michael Pittman Jr. on Saturday, but not everyone agrees with the decision. Certainly, there are NFL defenders out there who would argue Kazee’s hit was brutal, yet routine. But now, even former NFL star Tom Brady is speaking out.
After the news broke, Brady took to social media to share his take on the suspension. The former Super Bowl champ put the onus on the coaches and quarterback to make sure offensive players aren’t defenseless against hits across the middle of the field.
“Nobody likes seeing players get hurt. But hard hits happen. QBs should not be throwing the ball in areas where they are exposing their own teammates to these types of hits,” Brady wrote. “Coaches need to coach better, QBs need to read coverages and throw the ball to the right places and defenders should aim for the right hitting areas.
“To put the blame on the (defensive) player all the time is just flat-out wrong. Need better QB play!! It’s not OK QBs to get your WRs hit because of your bad decisions!”
The hit in question came on a pass from Colts starter Gardner Minshew, who has been playing in relief of injured rookie QB Anthony Richardson for several weeks.
Kazee hit with suspension after ‘repeated violations’
Unfortunately for the Steelers, the suspension came for their safety after “repeated” violations, not just for the hit on Pittman. The NFL said in a statement that the suspension of Damontae Kazee is due to “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players, including during this Saturday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.”
Damontae Kazee is in his seventh season in the NFL after going in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft to the Atlanta Falcons. In addition to Atlanta and Pittsburgh, he has also played for the Dallas Cowboys. He now finishes the 2023 season with 61 tackles and two interceptions.
According to Brooke Pryor of ESPN, Kazee has received fines five times from the NFL for a total of $59,000, prior to Saturday’s game against the Colts.
As for Michael Pittman Jr., who remains in concussion protocol. Pittman has been one of the best receivers in the NFL this season as he has 99 catches for 1,062 yards.
On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this report.