Following Kareem Jackson lowering the crown of his helmet into the chest of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs on Sunday, many wondered how the NFL would respond.
On Monday, we found out, with the league suspending the Denver Broncos defensive back for four games for “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players.”
Jackson’s hit came with 13 minutes and 13 seconds remaining in the first quarter in what was ultimately a 21-20 Broncos win. After Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson took the ball from under center and pitched it to Dobbs, Jackson proceeded to lower his head and make forcible contact with Minnesota’s quarterback; the illegal contact resulted in a fumble recovery for Denver.
Kareem Jackson just crunched Josh Dobbs pic.twitter.com/OuEER1vLHD
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) November 20, 2023
The Alabama product was not ejected from the game, nor was he penalized following the play. A release from the NFL announcing the four-game suspension noted that Jackson has committed multiple violations of player-safety rules this season. He was suspended four games earlier this season for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave. The suspension was a result of multiple offenses, which included including a similar hit on Washington Commanders tight end Logan Thomas in Week 2, for which he was ejected for.
His original suspension was not upheld and he was able to appeal it down to just two games. If Jackson’s original four-game suspension was upheld, he wouldn’t have been able to play in Sunday’s game against the Vikings.
As the suspension currently stands, the 35-year-old defensive back is slated to miss Denver’s upcoming games against the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Detroit Lions. Jackson, however, has the right to appeal the suspension, which according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, he plans to do.
As news of Jackson’s suspension was made public on Monday, many took to social media to weigh in on the matter.
FOUR GAMES for his second suspension in the same season? https://t.co/0wzHgY3CUQ
— Jamalama 🧡🏀⚖️ (@MidwestMutineer) November 20, 2023
The hit wasn't the problem, it's him continuing to lead with the crown of his helmet.
Even RBs are getting fined for doing it.
The NFL made it clear. He has to adapt. https://t.co/kaN0ZnqATP
— larry (not a stripper) Reed (@L_The_Ideal) November 20, 2023
Ironically, if his first suspension had been upheld (4 games which was reduced to 2 games), he wouldn't have been playing against the Vikings on Sunday night. https://t.co/AcvC5wC62l
— zach ragan (@zachtnt) November 20, 2023
How long can we suspend the refs who failed to see this obscene penalty and affected the outcome of the game for? https://t.co/UdolGAon0R
— xtina (@xtina1229) November 20, 2023
Hey man, cool. Quick question though, can we get also get a statement on why the officials were unable to apply the rule in real time? https://t.co/zuNDA5zhJd
— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) November 20, 2023
Thanks for costing us the game @NFLOfficiating your crews need to make these calls on the field not 24 hours later #NFL https://t.co/DfDuJqCsSm
— Rick Sosa (@sosarick) November 20, 2023
Kick him out the league. https://t.co/DoWjn3ZL3e pic.twitter.com/zOXSTdeIJa
— Wes J (@WesJ_FF) November 20, 2023
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.