Colts’ Michael Pittman believes it was ‘pure grace of God’ he survived Damontae Kazee’s ‘scary’ tackle

In the fast-paced world of professional football, violent collisions are an inherent part of the game. Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. recently found himself on the receiving end of one such hit.  The Colts’ victory over the Steelers, with a score of 30-13, shifted the focus more toward their receiver’s injury than their triumphant win and improved standings.

Following a hit from Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee, Pittman suffered a concussion and emerged from the incident with a compelling narrative to share after recovering from the daunting episode.

Michael Pittman talks about Damontae Kazee’s vicious tackle

Following his clearance from the league’s concussion protocol on Friday, Pittman shared the concerning specifics of the hit that briefly kept him out of the game. The Colts’ leading receiver, who surpassed the 1,000-yard mark just before the incident, called Kazee’s hit an illegal hit while revealing his fear about the consequences of such a scary hit and attributing it to the “pure grace of God.”

“I don’t think it was a legal hit. I don’t think it’s the pure grace of God that I was able to get up and walk.”

The hit occurred during the second quarter of the Colts’ 30-13 victory over the Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Pittman, diving at full extension to catch a pass from quarterback Gardner Minshew, found himself on the receiving end of a vicious hit from Damontae Kazee. 

Both teams took a knee in a show of unity as a result of the collision, leaving Pittman sprawled on the ground.

The gravity of the situation became apparent not through Pittman’s recollection but through the reactions of his loved ones. The star receiver acknowledged that the expressions on the faces of those around him hinted at the seriousness of the incident.

“I didn’t remember much about the hit, but the reactions of my loved ones told me it was serious,” Pittman shared with reporters.

Prior to the injury, Pittman had been a consistent force for the team, amassing 99 receptions for 1,062 yards and four touchdowns through 14 games. Surpassing his impressive 99 catches from the previous season, Pittman’s contributions have been integral to the Colts’ success.

Nevertheless, in spite of getting discharged from concussion protocol, the receiver is still on the Colts’ injury list, per Yahoo Sports for their upcoming battle.

Damontae Kazee suspended for the aggressive tackle on Michael Pittman?

Following the hit that led Michael Pittman to be concussed, the NFL remained quick in their shot at Kazee.  Hence, they not only forced him to leave the game with an ejection from the game against the Indianapolis Colts but also suspended him for the rest of the season.

Apart from that, Kazee will also forfeit approximately $208,000 in salary. The NFL cited “repeated violations” of player safety rules as the basis for the suspension, a move that has stirred discussions about the league’s commitment to protecting its players.

Nevertheless, Michael Pittman Jr. expressed his belief that the penalty for Kazee may have been too harsh. Despite the severity of the hit, Pittman conveyed his understanding that players, including Kazee, may not intend to cause life-changing injuries.

“I do think that they were head-hunting, but I don’t think he meant to try to impose a life-changing injury. I don’t think that any player has that in them, and you just never want to see guys lose games and lose that much money because I don’t think he was trying to do that.”

NFL legend Tom Brady, known for his meticulous approach to the game, also weighed in on the suspension. Brady expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, suggesting that players need to be more cautious in a sport where physical contact often leads to injuries.

What’s your take on the NFL’s decision on Kazee? Let us know in the comment box.