Being fined $50,000 is rarely a good thing, but in the case of Ravens safety Ed Reed, it most certainly beats the alternative.
(Ed Reed’s $50,000 fine is tax deductible. Tax benefit at 35% = $17,500. Actual cost of fine is $32,500. Stats courtesy of @SportsTaxMan)
The Ravens were preparing to play the San Diego Chargers without the future Hall of Fame safety, and Reed was likewise coming to grips with not only being forced to sit out, but to not receive his $423,529 game check.
Upon initially hearing the news that Reed had been suspended, coach John Harbaugh said, “None of those hits were [intentional]. They were all inadvertant. None of those were with intent to injure or harm in any way. When you look at the hits, that’s pretty obvious.”
Reed immediately appealed his suspension and had the support of the Ravens organization, fellow NFL players, and media personnel around the country. This afternoon, the NFL announced that Reed’s suspension was overturned and he will only have to pay a fine – a very large fine – instead of facing a suspension and missing a game check.
Ravens General Manager and Executive Vice President Ozzie Newsome made a statement in regards to Reed’s suspension appeal.
“The league has an appeal process to review situations like this, and Ed had his opportunity to answer questions about his play. Ted Cottrell, a long-time NFL defensive coach, reviewed Ed’s play. Ted is the arbitrator approved by the NFL and NFL Players Association, and he mad ethe decision,” Newsome said. “I think John [Harbaugh] and his coaches do an excellent job of teaching the right, safe and legal way to play football, and we believe Ed clearly tries to play within the rules on every down.”
Even though they have a week between games as usual, the Ravens will operate on more of a short-week schedule this week due to playing the Chargers in San Diego. Tuesday is typically the off-day for players and no real game planning would have been missed for Reed as the team usually beings installations on Wednesday at the Under Armour Performance Center.
Arbitrator Ted Cotrell had this to say: ”I do not believe that [Reed’s] actions were so egregious as to subject [him] to a one-game suspension without pay.”
