Oct 20, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins strong safety Brandon Meriweather (31) knocks the ball from Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) in the end zone in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. Merriweather was called for a penalty on the play. The Redskins won 45-41. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Redskins S Brandon Meriweather has been suspended by the league for a couple of games for repeat violations this season on the NFL safety rules. He was flagged for hits to Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall in the head in the game this weekend against the Bears.
Marshall shared his dissatisfaction to Meriweather after the game:
"“Guys like that really don’t understand that there is life after football,” Marshall said, per the Chicago Tribune. “I respect the league trying to better our game and guys like that, maybe he needs to get suspended or taken out of the game completely. I understand. I get it. I was one of those guys. I played defense growing up. I was a headhunter. Even sometimes on the offensive side, I played that way. But with rules in place, you’ve gotta respect it.”"
Meriweather responded to questions about the hits and said this:
"“I feel like every hit that I took was a legit hit,” he said, per the Washington Post. “I wasn’t trying to be dirty. I wasn’t trying to hurt nobody. I didn’t launch with my head. I used my shoulder like they told me to do. Everything I did was a pointer from them (league officials)…. You’ve just got to play. There ain’t nothing I can do about it. I just go out there and play.”"
Meriweather deserves to be suspended. He is going to appeal the suspension, but if the fines are not getting him to stop hitting players in the head, then the NFL needs to move onto more severe measures.