Former UM Star: "You Gotta End People's Careers. You Gotta Tear People's ACLs
WASHINGTON (CBSMiami) – Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather developed his hard-hitting reputation while at the University of Miami. But, his hard hits are coming with a price and he has a new target in mind: opponents' anterior cruciate ligaments.
"To be honest, you've got to go low now. You gotta end people's careers," Meriweather told ESPN 980 in Washington, DC. "You gotta tear people's ACLs. Mess up people's knees. You can't hit them high anymore. You've just got to go low."
The comments from Meriweather echo what many defensive players in the NFL have said since the increased focus on hits to the head. Defenders have to go low, even if the offensive player lowers their head, or risk getting a penalty/fine.
But, Meriweather may not be the ideal person to carry the flag in this battle.
Meriweather has already drawn multiple penalties and a suspension for hits to the head in a game against the Chicago Bears. Meriweather knocked a Green Bay Packers running back out of a game with a helmet-to-helmet hit this year and has been fined for other on-field violations.
Through the last three seasons, Meriweather has been fined almost $250,000 for some of the hits he has unleashed on the field, according to SI.com.
Still, the problem Meriweather addresses bit the Miami Dolphins hard in the preseason. Dolphins tight end Dustin Keller tore multiple ligaments in his knee when Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger went low on a hit to Keller.
The NFL will likely examine hits to the head in the offseason again, but on immediate action is expected despite concerns from defenders who are losing thousands of dollars for the hits.
