NFL Fining Bills OL Cody Ford for Blindside Block Reveals Crazy Hypocrisy Over Jadeveon Clowney
By Sean Facey
The NFL is once again doing the worst, most inconsistent job possible in the discipline department.
For some absurd reason, the league levied a $28,075 fine against Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Cody Ford for an extremely controversial blindside block that he was flagged for in the Wild Card Round against the Houston Texans, but did not do anything similar for a separate postseason hit that was clearly worse.
League office fines Bills RT Cody Ford $28,075 for controversial blindside block in overtime of playoff loss to Texans https://t.co/1aPnPZpyRX
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 11, 2020
Ford's fine comes in wake of the decision to not penalize Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney for a nasty hit to the head on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, or fine him a single dollar. The maddening inconsistency at play here boggles the mind, and sends the absolute wrong message about what is and isn't tolerated in this league.
To summarize: Jadeveon Clowney not fined for clear illegal hit that wasn't flagged during playoff game, Cody Ford fined for questionable blindside block that was flagged during playoff game.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 11, 2020
Only in the NFL could one player get away without a penalty or payment for an obvious illegal hit to the head of a quarterback, while another gets flagged and fined for a call that's decidedly harder to make.
Of course, Ford's penalty deprived the Bills of a chance at a potential game-winning overtime field goal.
It shows the blatant hypocrisy of the league's disciplinary structure. The NFL is not only unwilling to admit when they've made a mistake, but they actually double down on it in the days that follow.
1.- Being tackled, given up, on the way down. Clowney looking at Wentz and sizing him up.
— Last name Ramos ? (@PhillyFanHND) January 5, 2020
2.- Leading with Helmet already, Wentz still going down
3.- Wentz looking at the first down before he is hit
4.- Wentz driven to the ground after hit pic.twitter.com/hVQDQqCHac
The league should be ashamed of this entire situation. If they really want to start promoting player safety, then they should be willing to fine a star player like Clowney for a clear and obvious violation of the rules.