Fox News Flash top sports headlines for December 18
Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee’s big hit on Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. led to major consequences from the NFL on Monday.
Kazee was suspended for the rest of the season, including the postseason, the league announced. The NFL cited "repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players" as the reason for the stark punishment.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., #11, is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee, #23, during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The defensive back hit Pittman while the wide receiver was diving for the ball on a pass from Gardner Minshew. Kazee was ejected from the game and Pittman suffered a concussion.
Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, addressed a letter to Kazee.
FROM OUTKICK: BUFFALO BILLS THE NFL’S MOST DANGEROUS TEAM AND NOBODY WANTS ANY PART OF THEM
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., #11, catches a pass before being hit by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee, #23, during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
"With 8:49 remaining in the 2nd quarter, you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules," Runyan wrote. "The video of the play shows that you delivered a forcible blow to the head/neck area of Colts’ receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who was in a defenseless posture. You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided. Your actions were flagrant, and as a result, you were disqualified from the game.
"When players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, and particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player, it is appropriate to impose substantially greater penalties."
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee, #23, celebrates after a play on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Kazee could appeal the suspension. He was already fined four times this season for either "impermissible use of the helmet" or a "hit to a defenseless receiver."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
For now, Kazee is set to miss games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens, along with any potential playoff games.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.