Former defensive lineman J.J. Watt posted recently that the NFL is handing out too harsh a punishment for what he called ‘routine plays’
The National Football League has certainly put an emphasis on player safety in recent years, with rule changes and innovative equipment helping improve the game on that level. However, it’s The League’s excessive fines and punishments – for what they deem ‘intentionally illegal contact’ – that has former NFL star J.J. Watt upset.
Watt went online recently to share his thoughts on the topic, and he criticized NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the League Offices for essentially finding excuses to take money from its players. Even for contact on the field that many players would merely say is just ‘part of the game’.
“I will say it again… This is STEALING money from the guys,” The former D-Lineman posted on X. “Fines for intentfully malicious plays? Absolutely. Taking $21,694 from a guy for this?! What are we doing? This is out of control.”
“And don’t tell me it’s about ‘player safety.’ Cut blocks are legal. You can LITERALLY target a player’s knee with your helmet intentionally. So don’t act like we’re on some high and mighty ‘player safety’ crusade.”
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Watt included a video of a play involving Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard, who was fined over $20,000 for what would seemingly be a rather ordinary, unnecessary roughness call. The way Watt saw it, The League targeted Picard, as well as many other players recently.
J.J. Watt, 33, who played a total of 14 seasons for the Texans and Cardinals, was one of the most elite players of his generation – on either side of the ball. A former Walter Payton Award winner and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he is considered a virtual lock to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in 2028.
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