Steelers James Harrison Suspended One Game

Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker James Harrison has been suspended for one game without pay for the helmet to helmet hit on Colt McCoy this past Thursday. Harrison plans to appeal the ruling, that according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Harrison does not believe the hit was illegal stating that McCoy was past the line of scrimage which no longer made him a passer but a ball carrier. Harrison had this to say before the ruling on Monday:

Well, he took off running with it, and at the last second he, like, chucked and ducked,"

According to the NFL, this is Harrison's fifth "illegal" hit on a quarterback in the last three seasons.

Coach Mike Tomlin had this to say after the ruling was made:

“We received word from the league office this morning that he will receive a one-game suspension. We’ll accept that of course. We are disappointed, we are disappointed for James because we know quite frankly how hard he has worked to play within the rules. He has worked extremely hard to adjust his game. Unfortunately the incident happened. Of course it was a penalty. We have to be accountable for that; he has to be accountable for that. We accept the judgment rendered by the league office and we’ll move forward. Obviously the parameters are he can’t participate in any football activities with us this week. He will be allowed back in the building next Tuesday, the 20^th.

Harrison himself also made a pair of statements via Twitter. The first being "LOL" after the announcement was made and then the posted "Thank you to all my fans and supporters, I'm just going to move on from here and get ready for my next game."