Jan 17, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) moves the ball on a scoring attempt against Kansas City Chiefs free safety Daniel Sorensen (49) during the first half in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL has decided not to fine Daniel Sorenson after his helmet-to-helmet hit last Sunday.
One play will be talked about all offseason when it comes to the Cleveland Browns’ Divisional loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. The play featured receiver Rashard Higgins diving for the end zone, only to take a shot to the head, fumble the ball, have it roll out of the end zone, and turn a touchdown into a touchback.
The hit was celebrated by Chiefs fans, while Browns fans were wondering why a flag wasn’t thrown. Fans in Cleveland will be even more incensed after the NFL decided not to hand any fine to Sorenson for the illegal hit.
Sorenson gets away with the hit
The above tweet from Tom Pelissero is interesting because it says Mack Wilson’s hit that knocked Patrick Mahomes out of the game was controversial too. Chiefs fans likely agree, but it appeared to be a normal tackle on a play where Andy Reid called a run for a limping Mahomes.
Regardless, no fines will be handed out and everyone can move on. Fans wondering why Sorenson did not get fined still do have a valid point. He delivered a textbook helmet-to-helmet hit and the NFL has fined players for that constantly over the past several years. Players even take home fines for much less egregious hits every week.
The problem is a lack of consistency from the NFL. Fines can’t become arbitrary and Sorenson making that hit during the regular season likely would have resulted in him losing some money.
The play made by the Chiefs safety saw him take the perfect angle and dive all out to make the stop. That can’t be argued. The issue here is the NFL not sticking by the rules it has established, even if fans disagree with them being in place.
Browns fans will be mad about Sorenson and Chiefs fans will be mad about Wilson. That is just the way it goes and the two teams may be set for plenty of future showdowns if the Browns can keep playing like they did in 2020.