Justin Fields isn’t known for being the most outspoken guy. He is even-keel in his approach to the media and provides answers that are mostly straightforward. Not a lot of emotions are involved. If you were watching his post-game press conference on Monday night though? Chances are good you noticed a slight shift in his demeanor when he was asked about the refereeing in the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The night in general was marred by questionable calls by the refs. Most look to an infuriating flag for taunting on Cassius Marsh after a big 3rd down sack. A moment that saw the ref not only hand Pittsburgh a crucial three extra points as a result but even bumping Marsh after the play with what looked like clear intention. However, the play that has many upset is the late hit Fields took from Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith.
Both because it was obvious and because Ben Roethlisberger got the call earlier.
Fields didn’t even try to wiggle around the question when it came up after the game. He made it clear that he felt the hit was late regardless of what Highsmith said about merely running into him. He also yelled at the refs that they’d just made that call for Roethlisberger and should call it fair both ways. That moment was further confirmation to him that the refs don’t protect the younger QBs nearly as much as they do older ones. It’s a bad double standard.
Justin Fields has every right to feel this way. He has taken a beating so far this year. While many of the hits were clean, some were not. Quite a few were late and even dangerously close to malicious. The NFL is so quick to protect guys like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Considering he, Joe Burrow, and others might be a huge part of their future? It is wild the refs don’t treat them with equal care.
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