NFL Hands Broncos S Kareem Jackson 4-Game Suspension, Wants You To Think It Cares About Player Safety

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The NFL finds itself in a tough spot. It needs to send the message that it cares about player safety. To that end, the league suspended head-hunting Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson for four games, unpaid.

That's an extremely hefty punishment. According to the NFL Network, only Vontaze Burfict and Myles Garrett ever received longer suspensions for on-field, safety-related conduct. And Garrett swung a helmet at Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph.

UPDATE: On Tuesday, Jackson had his suspension reduced to two games after appeal.

Burfict, like Jackson, had a history of violating player-safety rules. On Sunday, referees ejected Jackson for targeting the head and neck area of Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave. It was the second time this season that refs disqualified Jackson for an illegal hit.

Plus, the league already fined him FOUR TIMES this season for illegal hits. It had no choice but to levy a suspension.

The NFL suspended Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson four games for repeatedly violating player safety policies surrounding on-field conduct.

The NFL suspended Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson four games for repeatedly violating player safety policies surrounding on-field conduct. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

NFL had to suspend Kareem Jackson, but don't buy the reason they're selling

Here's the thing, though: the NFL doesn't really care about player safety. Not really. It has to pretend to care, of course.

After all, It's paid over $1.2 BILLION to former players over a concussion lawsuit.

But, everything it does goes against the idea that it truly cares about the players. Adding more games to the regular season does not help the players. It makes more money. And, that's what matters.

What about the turf issues that players keep complaining about? The league doesn't care. Knee injuries don't cost the league billions of dollars like head injuries do.

What about the existence of Thursday Night Football? Having guys suit up four days after playing an NFL game? Think that takes the players into account? Of course not.

The league is even expanding to playing on more days of the week, adding a Friday game this year.

The point is that the league doesn't really care about player safety. This isn't to defend Kareem Jackson, who definitely deserves a suspension for his reckless on-field play.

But, spare me the speech about how player safety is at the top of mind for the NFL.

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to Outkick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named “Brady” because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.