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James Harrison was denied in his appeal of a one-game suspension for an illegal hit against Colt McCoy last week.
On Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison received a one-game suspension for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy in Week 14. On Wednesday at 2 p.m., Harrison will have an appeal hearing for his suspension over the telephone, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.
Late Tuesday, Jason LaCanfora of the NFL Network reported that Harrison's agent, Bill Parise, requested an expedited hearing so that his client could have a decision from the league prior to the Steelers' Week 15 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Ted Cottrell will hear Harrison's appeal on behalf of both the players association and the league. Odds of a successful appeal are slim. Harrison will not be allowed to practice with the team during his suspension.
Harrison is no stranger to league scrutiny for his style of play, a style of play which has been called dirty in the past. He has five illegal hits on quarterbacks in three seasons.
McCoy sustained a concussion as a result of Harrison's hit, which has enveloped Browns head coach Pat Shurmur in controversy for his in-game handling of the situation.
For more on Harrison and the Steelers, check out Behind the Steel Curtain.
James Harrison had been fined many times for dangerous play by the NFL before being suspended for one game for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Colt McCoy last Thursday. His pithy response to that suspension on Twitter will not earn him much sympathy:
Lol!!!
Moreover, though, it seems that Harrison's antics are not particularly troubling to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. He's disappointed about the suspension, but not because of Harrison's actions:
"We're disappointed. We're disappointed for James because we know how hard he's worked to play within the rules," coach Mike Tomlin said. "We accept the judgment rendered by the league office and we'll move forward."
Harrison's earned his reputation as one of the NFL's dirtiest players with a number of late and brutal hits, but he's also playing for a Pittsburgh team that is no stranger to personal fouls for aggression. The Steelers have been flagged for 13 illegal hits this season, most in the NFL.
For more on the Steelers, head to Behind the Steel Curtain.
Thanks to a helmet-to-helmet hit that resulted in a roughing the passer penalty and a concussion for Colt McCoy, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been suspended one game by the NFL, per ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter on twitter. The hit was a violent collision in which Harrison appeared to lead with his head, hitting McCoy shortly after he threw a short pass. Harrison plans to appeal the suspension.
The hit occurred with just under six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Seneca Wallace entered the game and deputized briefly, but McCoy returned to the game. Harrison was almost certainly going to face at least a fine for the hit, but his status as a repeat offender almost certainly factored into the league's decision to suspend him.
The timing couldn't be much worse for the Steelers. They take on the 10-3 San Fransisco 49ers in Week 15. Pittsburgh is currently tied with the Baltimore Ravens atop the AFC North, but the Ravens hold the tiebreaker.
For more on Harrison and the Steelers, check out Pittsburgh Steelers blog Behind The Steel Curtain.
James Harrison's Suspension Upheld; Steelers LB Out One Game
The suspension imposed upon Pittsburgh Steelers LB James Harrison was upheld after an appeal to the NFL office, according to Jason La Canfora of NFL Network. Harrison was appealing a one-game suspension he received for an illegal hit on Cleveland Browns QB Colt McCoy last week.
Harrison's suspension was announced earlier this week and he appealed the discipline at a Wednesday hearing with appeals officer Ted Cottrell, who is jointly appointed by both the NFL and NFLPA.
Harrison has often found himself at the center of the illegal hits argument in the last few years with at least five illegal hits on quarterbacks over the last three years. His latest hit on McCoy has caused plenty of controversy because the Browns QB was starting to run, which would eliminate some of the rules protecting quarterbacks. But McCoy threw the ball a split second before Harrison got there so he was still considered a quarterback and thus the hit was illegal.
The Steelers play the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football in Week 15.
SB Nation's Behind The Steel Curtain has been discussing Harrison's hit this week.
Dec 16 10:36a by Joel Thorman - 0 comments