The NFL opted to fine a player a cool $50,000 for self-reporting a concussion as the league alleged that he faked the head injury.
NFL Players Association President JC Tretter revealed as much in a column he wrote for the NFLPA titled ‘Why The NFL On-Field Fine System Is Not Fine’.
Tretter hit out at the league in the piece as he disclosed that an unnamed player was accused of faking a concussion despite his team’s medics greenlighting him to go down for an evaluation. This is standard procedure for any player who takes a hit to the head.
The player followed the protocol and missed a number of snaps as a result. And the NFL opted to hit him with a fine.
The league has since rescinded the penalty following an appeal but Tretter has pointed out that the fine could prompt concerns as players are supposed to self-report injuries for their own safety but are being punished for following a procedure that was set by the league.
Tretter wrote:
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“Despite the emphasis on players’ self-reporting this most serious of injuries, the NFL determined in their review process that a $50,000 fine was warranted. After his appeal, this fine was also rescinded in full.”
Still, all’s well that ends well. The league could have found themselves in the middle of a PR storm had they decided to uphold the fine, but they ultimately did the right thing.
