In the tenth week of the regular season, the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Carolina Panthers came to an end in a very dramatic way, whether it was the final score, the progress of the game, or the lingering thoughts before and after the game. The strong smell of gunpowder, including the noise and hustle and bustle of the post-match press conference, are all filled with explosive topics of discussion.
Since the debut of the 2011 season opener, the topic between Cam Newton, the top pick in the draft, and Lu Ke, the undrafted rookie, has always been a hot topic. From being a hot topic to being ignored to being revived, in just three seasons, the two four-year-olds have become a hot topic. The shooting guard's career curve has undergone tremendous changes, and this duel was also considered to be a belated "long-awaited". When the duel actually came, it really lived up to expectations and brought a great drama!
The first person to bear the brunt was not the "Lu Ke VS Newton" battle for the No. 1 pick, but safety guard Quentin Mikel's illegal collision with Lu Ke. This foul triggered a heated discussion throughout the league.
Some players cried out for Mikel, "Mikel just did his job diligently", "Collisions on the field are inevitable", "This is football, not basketball", "League law enforcement always treats defensive players "Exceptionally harsh", "Mikel is innocent", "This is a controversial penalty"...
Among them, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman's remarks were the most representative, "This is a ridiculous penalty. Mikel just did his job conscientiously. We should not treat the player who was hit." The fragility is blamed on the defensive players' rough defense. If this is the case, how should we complete the defensive work in the future? Obviously, Mikel's only mistake was to tackle an object that should not be tackled."
These words simply added fuel to the fire and stirred up a thousand waves with one stone. They denounced the league referees for their protection, clearly implying that the league deliberately punished Mikel severely in order to protect Lu Ke.
The nature of the matter suddenly changed.
Sherman always had the ability to offend everyone with just one sentence. And this time, Sherman also received strong support from another big mouth, Cam Newton.
"Mikel is a respectable fighter, but the player who suffered a serious collision completed two touchdown passes in the subsequent two waves of offense. I cannot see the justice and fairness of such a penalty. I Also a quarterback, trust me, I know what rough defense is."
Cam's words directly ignited the powder keg. Unlike Sherman who pointed the finger at the referee and the league, Cam was questioning Lu Ke's "faking injuries" and pretending to be weak to win sympathy. This is almost the same as questioning. Lu Ke’s professional ethics.
But there are more players who condemned Mikel's behavior. "The destructive collision tactic is really too despicable." "Regardless of whether the collision itself is a tactical need, Mikel's behavior of not braking at all before the collision is really disgraceful." , "The Saints' bounty door was only a matter of last season", "Repeatedly banned such rough defense is a serious harm to the entire sport", "Mikel's defense is a clumsy and bad clown performance"...
Among them, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is undoubtedly the strongest supporter. "We have no doubt at all about the defensive players' commitment and dedication to the game. The focus has never been on whether they should tackle or not." It's not about intensity, but player choice after the tackle is about to happen.
During that push, Lu Ke had already chosen to fall to the ground in advance and took the initiative to end the push. However, Mikel's grappling and collision showed no signs of stress reduction. We can watch the game video repeatedly, and everything is proven. Read: The safety hopes to send Lu Ke directly off the field. This is a shame! A completely humiliating foul! I think Mikel owes Lu Ke a formal apology. "
Rogers expressed his position clearly. As a traditional pocket quarterback, Rogers' ability to run with the ball was actually forced out - because the Green Bay Packers' offensive line protection ability is really bad. If possible, If so, he is still more accustomed to standing in the pocket to complete passes, but he is repeatedly forced to leave the pocket. The danger of collisions and tackles he encountered is definitely the highest in the league, so his collision with Lu Ke was definitely Feel the same.
Since the "concussion controversy" about the relationship between football and CTE broke out in 2009 (it was adapted into the movie "Concussion" in 2015), the NFL has encountered an unprecedented impact. Doubts have continued within and outside the industry. Many parents and Schools have begun to state that they will not allow children to participate in football, and even disagreements have arisen within the league, which has also made Roger Goodell suffer enemies from all sides.
Although on the one hand, league officials have always denied the connection between "football and CTE disease", on the other hand, the league has been increasing the penalties for "rough collisions", hoping to protect the rights and interests of players in this way. The concussion crisis responded and continued the influence of the nation's No. 1 sport.
It's not just about protecting the quarterback. Rough collisions at all positions on the field are severely punished.
Rogers' remarks received a lot of support inside and outside the league. Even "Island King" Darrell Revis publicly stated, "This is not what the spirit of football should be like." Although he did not say it explicitly, the meaning was obvious. : He also believed that Mikel's collision that did not stop at the last moment was against professional ethics and sportsmanship.
Because the definition of "rough collision" is very vague/ambiguous, during fierce competitions, referees' enforcement standards are often different, which also makes controversy inevitable. Where there is support, there must be opposition, but for the league, game video But it is the best reference basis, there is nothing fishy at all——
The league officials sent the video clip of Mikel's collision with Lu Ke to thirty-two teams by email, and clearly stated in the text: This is an illegal collision! The team must refer to it to avoid further fouls, otherwise the on-site referee will never be lenient in enforcing the law.
Immediately afterwards, the league issued the most serious fine since the 2013 season:
Carolina Panthers safety Quentin Mikel was suspended for four games, not only because of the rough collision during the game, but also because of his rude words to the referee after the penalty was determined, and for damaging Candlestick Stadium equipment after leaving the field. rough behavior. In addition, he was fined $40,000.
San Francisco 49ers tight end Logan Newman was suspended for one game because after the foul, Logan directly strangled Mikel's neck, almost causing Mikel to lose his ability to resist. Such rough behavior is strictly prohibited. Then a collective fight broke out, and the plot was nasty. Additionally, a fine of eight thousand dollars was imposed.
In addition, five players from the Carolina Panthers and two players from the San Francisco 49ers, a total of seven players, were fined ranging from $1,500 to $8,000 for participating in the group fight. .
Just judging from the results of the law enforcement, the league's top 50 boards have warned both teams about the out-of-control behavior, but if you read the law enforcement content in detail, you can see: Mikel suffered a heavy penalty! Now with only seven games left in the season, he was directly suspended for four games, which is a serious blow to the Carolina Panthers.
The league has clearly stated its position: the referee's law enforcement is correct. Mikel's foul behavior is a typical example of rough collision, and is now the target of severe punishment by the league. If anyone dares to challenge this law enforcement method, then the league will never show mercy. It is bound to let the fouling players feel the intensity of the league's law enforcement.
If that wasn't enough, the league issued another fine: Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera used aggressive remarks to criticize the referees' work and was fined $25,000!
At the press conference, Rivera publicly criticized the referee's law enforcement, which is also the subject of strict monitoring in the league - the league competition committee always monitors the size and content of game law enforcement, trying to ensure that league games can be played in a fair manner. It is conducted in a fair environment, and the committee members are senior referees, the current head coach of the team, etc.
Now, Rivera is directly targeting the referees. He said that certain penalties are "jokes." At the same time, he bluntly stated in front of reporters, "The NFL needs to be better. I know they have their jobs, but These foul calls cost the guys who lose the game their jobs, and we have to make the right call, not because something looks right. So, to be honest, I'm pretty pissed off right now; but...that's me All ideas.”
Rivera, like Sherman, hinted that the league consciously takes care of Lu Ke, just like taking care of the New England Patriots. The penalty scale is always skewed just because Lu Ke is now the biggest sign in the league.
Although Rivera did not say it publicly, the serious negative impact caused by these words is difficult to estimate. The league did not intend to forget about it, and directly issued a ticket and severely punished Rivera.
After learning of the league's fine, the Carolina Panthers officially stated, "We respect the work of the league and the referees," ending the controversy in a calm manner.
From players to coaches, the league once again showed Goodell's iron fist and iron blood. After the ticket was issued, there was only discussion among fans on social networks, and the players collectively shut their mouths, even Sher Tricksters like Mann and Cam also dived in obediently: No one dared to anger Goodell. nobody!
At this point, the matter has been concluded: Mikel's rough collision has become the best interpretation of the foul. The defensive teams of the thirty-two teams must study hard to avoid fouling in the same situation. Now it is the end of the season. The playoffs are getting closer and closer, and every foul may become a turning point that changes the direction of the game. No one wants all the efforts in the first half of the season to be in vain.
