So after watching the Steelers/ Ravens game, I have noticed one thing about Pittsburgh... they are a dirty team. Ryan Clark hit Willis McGahee helmet-to-helmet in the closing minutes of the Fourth Quarter to force a fumble, which was recovered by the Steelers. Unfortunately for the NFL and for fans of the game, the referees did not call the hit illegal. A very similar hit was called illegal (and a fine was given) earlier this season on Anquan Boldin, which knocked him out for several games. These hits are very dangerous and can cause paralysis. The league needs to be more uniform in the hits they call. There are less calls made against offensive players making helmet to helmet blocks (see video of Hines Ward breaking Keith Rivers' jaw in a game against Cincinnati). Also less frequent are helmet-to-helmet hits on running backs from defenders. It's like the league feels that defensive players deserve to get hit this way, and since running backs are naturally taking the most hits, they deserve it in a way. Receivers and quarterbacks are too fragile to allow these hits to be put on them, so the league fines players for hits on these guys. Come on! The reason some are called illegal is "to prevent injury". All of these hits, regardless of position, can injure the guy. (Did you see McGahee carted off the field on a stretcher, or Keith Rivers get his jaw broken?) Bottom line, both of these hits referenced were by Pittsburgh Steelers players, and neither were fined or even called as penalties. I feel like the NFL gives Pittsburgh a free pass because they have a reputation as a physical, hard-hitting football team. The league needs to get their act together and fix this very baised system.
