It seems like years ago when a trio of nasty helmet-to-helmet hits by Steelers linebacker James Harrison, Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson, and Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather sparked a league-wide debate about player safety.
Well, it was more than two months ago. And with some time to think about it, the NFL has decided to reduce the hefty fines given out to all three players.
Judy Battista of the New York Times reports that Robinson’s fine was reduced from $50,000 to $25,000, Meriweather from $50,000 to $40,000, and Harrison from $75,000 to $50,000. Battista writes that Robinson and Meriweather appealed the fines.
Ted Cottrell, who overseas the fines, looked back at Harrison’s case and reduced the fine with Commissioner Roger Goodell’s blessing.
The reductions by the league constitutes an admission that the amount of the fines were out of whack compared to similar cases which received less media attention.