By Brookelynn Ritter
Round Table editor
Imagine receiving a $25,000 fine for successfully doing your everyday job.
Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis is feeling the effects of that hefty bill because of a tackle made in the Baltimore vs. Cincinnati game on Oct. 11.
Many people will argue that tackling an innocent receiver in midair shows unsportsmanlike conduct and could be considered an unnecessary attack.
Not only is every player in the National Football League a grown man, he is also an avid athlete and a fierce competitor, out for victory, money, or both. When a player signs that NFL contract, it means something. He must be willing to take a hard hit every now and then and also continue to do his job no matter what.
And just like any other regular employee, such as a teacher or a dentist who wakes up every morning and has nine-to-five duties, so does a professional linebacker. The tasks may differ greatly, but again, like any other employee, he gets paid to do his job successfully.
Lewis’ job is to find the man with the ball and take him down as quickly and efficiently as possible. He knows where to go, he knows who he’s after, and he strives to get the job done.
In the heat of a high speed football game, Lewis isn’t going to stop and double check the scene before he heads in for a tackle (which, apparently, is what most people were expecting him to do before he tackled Chad Ochocinco, the “helpless” wide receiver).
By watching the tape, it’s clear to see Ochocinco took a hard fall, but it’s nothing he hasn’t felt before. Because of a simple tackle, Lewis got more than he bargained for.
Not only was he penalized with a foul, he was also charged with a $25,000 fine for his so-called “cheap shot.”
Funny thing is, Ochocinco contacted NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and requested to have Lewis’ fine revoked. Unfortunately, like most personal player requests, it was ignored.
I still can’t understand why Lewis must pay a fine for doing his job. Following that logic, maybe Goodell should be fined, as well.