What is the point of having announcers if they aren’t going to call out dirty plays?
Cris Collinsworth and Al Michaels were too busy singing Heyward’s praises to realize he just punched a franchise QB in the ribs for no reason at all. Heyward did play an excellent game, but that doesn’t excuse his behavior. Does NFL care more about taunting than stuff like this?
Heyward even admits he did and was caught in 4k.
Herbert wasn’t writhing in pain, which was good, but the broadcast didn’t even really mention the incident. Heyward was flagged for unnecessary roughness and the Steelers were penalized 15 yards, but considering that Heyward avoided an ejection, it was a strangely muted response to a player appearing to punch the opposing QB in the stomach.
Heyward was of course asked about the punch after the game. He explained that it was a misunderstanding that looked worse on TV than it did in person. Heyward also said that he wished he’d said more to Herbert after the game, presumably to make sure there were no hard feelings.
I watched the video again to see if Heyward’s version of events made sense even in regular motion and they simply do not.
By the time he punched Herbert, he could have easily gotten up and walked away.
If he had done that to Tom Brady, he would have already been back on a plane to Pittsburgh before the game was over.
Herbert, for his part, didn’t make a big deal out of it because that is the type of person he is.
“I haven’t really seen it. He’s a tough player. Football is an emotional game. Whatever happened, happened in the game. We’ll shake hands and say, ‘Good game,’ after the game.”
Fair enough.
The league will fine Heyward, but he won’t be suspended.
Flip the page for the sucker punch and Heyward’s explanation for it.