NFL Fine on Cardinals’ Yeremiah Bell is Ridiculous

Sep 29, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Arizona Cardinals strong safety Yeremiah Bell (37) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Arizona Cardinals defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Yeremiah Bell made the hit the way the NFL teaches defensive players to make hits on receivers.  Yet, not only was Bell incorrectly flagged for a hit on Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Tim Wright and cost the Arizona Cardinals 15 yards, it also now has cost Bell money, even after the NFL had a chance to review the video.

Bell turned his head away, made a clean hit with his shoulder.  Granted, in real time, these plays happen so fast, sometimes referees are going to miss things.  This one was so obvious though it was disgusting.  Then the NFL had the gall to review it and tell Bell to write out a check for $15,000.

They had the chance to wrong the right but instead chose to continue the route of further punishment.  This was the NFL’s way of saying will will never admit error and always stick behind our own.  Have some balls NFL.  They had to have the blinders on with this one.  It’s not the money, it’s the sheer principle of the call.  What else was Bell supposed to do?

At this point, why doesn’t the NFL just put out a memo to leave all the pads and helmets off and tell teams to start using flags?  Oh wait, that’s because the NFL wants to make money.  That’s right, continue to tell players to do something their way and yet punish them for it.  This way they can collect their weekly fines from defensive players and  make sure it gets in their pockets.  They can continue to protect the offensive players who they can continue to market to the masses.  I’m pretty sure by 2020 tackling will be illegal.