Why did the NFL suspend Kareem Jackson? Looking at Broncos’ fans furious reaction

The Denver Broncos and their quarterback Russell Wilson had been scrutinized from the start of the 2023 NFL season due to their back-to-back defeats. However, unlike other underdogs of the league, the team buckled up and showcased a phenomenal bounce-back performance in the past few weeks.

From 0-3 to 5-5, the Broncos proved how formidable they can get as the season proceeds. Their winning streak started with the initial win against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. Though they went down to the Chiefs in the second face-off, their winning streak following the defeat is getting stronger only. Meanwhile, the Broncos safety Kareem Jackson’s reputation is going down only due to his controversial on-field activity.

Why did the NFL suspend Kareem Jackson?

During the Broncos’ recent 21-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings, Kareem Jackson delivered an absurd tackle towards quarterback Joshua Dobbs. He was not flagged for the play, and NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay openly disagreed with the non-call on-air.

Though the officials overlooked the “forcible contact”, the NFL handed the veteran a four-game suspension along with the blow of forfeiting $559,889 in salary. Jon Runyan, the league’s vice president of football operations, notified the update in a letter to him, citing a violation of playing rules.

“Illegal acts that are flagrant and jeopardize the safety of players will not be tolerated. The League will continue to stress enforcement of the rules that prohibit using your helmet to make forcible contact with your opponent,” he wrote via NFL.com.

Runyan mentioned how notoriously the Broncos star delivered a blow to the QB’s shoulder despite having a chance to avoid that. He also criticized the safety for not abiding by the rules on the field.

“On the play in question, you lowered your head and delivered a forceful blow to the shoulder and head/neck area of an opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact. You could have made contact with your opponent within the rules, yet you chose not to.”

Jackson will now have to stay out of the team’s active roster till their game against the Detroit Lions in Week 15. He would be able to resume play in their contest against the New England Patriots on Dec. 24. However, the vet will surely be able to appeal this suspension as well and minimize it if the league agrees.

Fan’s reaction to Kareem Jackson’s suspension

During the third snap of the Broncos vs Vikings clash, Jackson initially lowered his head before driving his helmet into Dobbs’ chest and his face mask. The hit sent the signal-caller straight to the medical tent, albeit he came right back out after getting checked for a possible concussion. The NFL community couldn’t keep calm after witnessing such a brutal act and censured the Broncos star on social media.

A netizen wrote,”He deserves every bit of those four games and probably more than that!”

The safety’s booming tackle came just as the Vikings’ new quarterback coughed up the ball to pick up to secure a first down. The Vikings lost the match by just one point and Dobbs could be leading them to a potential win if that hit didn’t come on the way.

A user wrote,”Ugly play. Real-time and slowed down.”

The Week 11 match was the veteran’s first game back from his former suspension. During the Broncos Week 7 match against the Green Bay Packers, he violated the league’s unnecessary roughness rules, and faced a four-game suspension which was later reduced to two games following an appeal. However, his actions are prompting the netizens to urge the league to ban him permanently.

A fan wrote,”Kick him out of the league.”

Apart from getting suspended, Kareem Jackson has also been fined four times only this season because of his unnecessary roughness on the field. Ahead of the latest fine, he was forced to pay $90,000 in fines.

What’s your take on the player’s recent incidents? Tell us in the comments.