Troy Polamalu fined 10K for calling wife

[Mendoza Line]

NFL Star Fined For Calling Wife Mid-Game to Say He Was Okay

Just wanted to assure wife he was okay after concussion symptoms

The NFL fined a player $10,000 for making a call from the sidelines, even though all he wanted to do was assure his wife he was okay after suffering a possible concussion earlier.

Superstar safety Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose flowing hair is featured in Head and Shoulders shampoo commercials, was seen talking on a cell phone while sitting on the bench during last week's game against Jacksonville. That's prohibited by the league, and officials were not swayed by Polamalu's extenuating circumstances.

Polamalu borrowed the phone from a trainer Sunday to let his wife know he was alright after leaving the game with concussion-like symptoms, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The league rules say "possession of cell phones, [personal digital assistants] or other electronic equipment in the bench area during a game is strictly prohibited by league policy beginning 90 minutes before kickoff through the end of the game."

Polamalu declined comment on the fine Friday. But his coach, Mike Tomlin, came to his defense.

"He has had a history of concussion-like symptoms in the past," Tomlin told the paper. "[Mr. Polamalu's wife] was concerned. In this era of player safety, you would think that common sense would prevail in some of these things. It wasn't a personal call. He wasn't checking on his bank account."

The league seems to want to prevent incidents like one in 2003, when then-New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn scored a touchdown, then pulled out a cell phone he had hidden behind the padding of a goal post and pretended to make a call. Horn was fined $30,000. But at the same time, the league has expressed concern about concussions, and Polamalu has a history of them.

[kermit]

That is ridiculous, I can understand the rule to an extent not wanting cheating or whatever going on but to fine him 10k for letting his wife know he was ok is stupid. Not that 10k is going to matter to him and the team will probably pay it for him but next time he will probably just call from the locker room

[NightCap424]

NFL is going to have more rules than NCAA before too long....

[Mendoza Line]

Originally Posted by Mendoza Line

The league seems to want to prevent incidents like one in 2003, when then-New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn scored a touchdown, then pulled out a cell phone he had hidden behind the padding of a goal post and pretended to make a call. Horn was fined $30,000.

I was at that game. Sitting right next to the cam that got the end zone shot here.



That was the game that the Saints played with most RBs injured. Only Deuce played RB that game, so they threw a ton. Horn had a big game, 4 TDs. I think the Giants were out of it at that point, and Jesse "the Bachelor" Palmer played QB for NYG.

Horn signed my ticket. And he signed a mini-helmet for me. Coach Haslett signed the other side of the helmet.

[kartell]

Originally Posted by Mendoza Line

I was at that game. Sitting right next to the cam that got the end zone shot here.



That was the game that the Saints played with most RBs injured. Only Deuce played RB that game, so they threw a ton. Horn had a big game, 4 TDs. I think the Giants were out of it at that point, and Jesse "the Bachelor" Palmer played QB for NYG.

Horn signed my ticket. And he signed a mini-helmet for me. Coach Haslett signed the other side of the helmet.

Still love Hollywood. Seems like he never dropped a ball for a 1st on 3rd downs across the middle. Classic stuff here.

[Mendoza Line]

Originally Posted by kartell

Still love Hollywood. Seems like he never dropped a ball for a 1st on 3rd downs across the middle. Classic stuff here.

And people always give Aaron Brooks a hard time, but he was awesome that year. I think his 24 TDs to 8 INTs was the best ratio in the NFL. He had four really good years with NO.

Just like people think that Hebert wasn't any good. I was at most of his home games. Dude was a top-10 QB most of the time he was in NO. Most of those years, they didn't have a go-to WR, so they threw to Dalton out of the backfield, and I watched Hilliard's skillet-hands hurt Bobby's comp% more often than not.

[kartell]

Originally Posted by Mendoza Line

And people always give Aaron Brooks a hard time, but he was awesome that year. I think his 24 TDs to 8 INTs was the best ratio in the NFL. He had four really good years with NO.

Just like people think that Hebert wasn't any good. I was at most of his home games. Dude was a top-10 QB most of the time he was in NO. Most of those years, they didn't have a go-to WR, so they threw to Dalton out of the backfield, and I watched Hilliard's skillet-hands hurt Bobby's comp% more often than not.

I've never looked back at his stats to confirm what I thought I was witnessing back then, but I always thought Eric Martin was pretty clutch for Hebert. Also working against Bobby: two assholes named Montana and Young (my apologies Niners fans. Late night tonight.) Back then there was only one wild card slot and even with a good record, chances of taking the West were slim to none with one HOF QB after the other on that team, oh and Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Ronnie Lott, etc.

Aaron Brooks did have some good years with us. I thought the turning point (for the worse) was when they tried to make him a pocket passer. That was the beginning of the end for him.

Gonna be interesting tomorrow night with a degree of separation between Brees and Payton. They can't talk directly to each other while he's on the field, but only on the phone when Brees is on the sideline. I think we'll be ok, though. For all we know, it may end up being to Payton's advantage looking down on the formations with a head full of legal painkillers.

[Sweetleaf22]

AJ Hawk gets fined the same 10 grand for whipping the bird out on the field ......

[pwherr]

Wife? Always thought he was gay.