Hit On Cardinals Campbell Not As Pricy As Wrong Headphones
By Scott Allen
Oct 5, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) celebrates his 500th touchdown pass with tight end Julius Thomas (80) in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell gets to sit out this week and possibly the next two weeks because of an illegal chop block, which was confirmed by the NFL. The fine for Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas on the hit was $8,268, which is standard for a first-time offender. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was just fined $10,000 for wearing the incorrect headphones during his post-game press conference on Sunday.
The NFL’s priorities again are proven to be out of whack. Campbell has an injury that could have been much worse and even if it was a season-ender, Thomas still only gets fined the $8,268. Oh by the way, Thomas hasn’t apologized yet. I would expect that call to come, well, never.
As for Kaepernick, he wore Dr. Dre’s Beats By Dre headphones, as do a lot of other players, he was fined the $10,000 because the NFL put out a notice last week that players not wearing Bose headphones, would be subject to a fine. The NFL is trying to protect its contracts and I get that but that is ridiculous.
First of all, with all the players that wear the Beats By Dre, the NFL had to know it wouldn’t take long for someone to get fined. However, to find a guy $10,000, more than what they fine a player with a serious hit like an illegal-chop block, further proves the NFL is more concerned with money rather than safety.
Now a rule is a rule and although I don’t agree with it, the NFL has always had uniform and public appearance policies. Someone in the league offices though needs to either increase the amount of the fines for hits or decrease the fine for wearing the incorrect headphones. It sends the wrong message. They won’t change though. It’s Roger Goodell and the NFL and they clearly only worry about one thing, money. That’s it.