James Harrison Fined $20K for Hit on Drew Brees

Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been fined $20,000 for a late hit Sunday on Saints quarterback Drew Brees, the third time the NFL has fined him this season for a dangerous tackle.

The penalties total $100,000, including a $75,000 fine for his Oct. 17 helmet hit that left Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi with a concussion.

"The amount of money is becoming an issue," Harrison said Thursday. "The fines that they issued to me, two of them weren't even called penalties. I don't even know what to say anymore."

James Harrison Threatens to Quit NFL after Fine

The $75,000 fine was handed out the week the NFL adopted its tougher stance on hits to the head and neck, a policy that briefly led Harrison to consider retiring. Harrison also was fined $5,000 for a hard hit on Titans quarterback Vince Young on Sept. 19.

Harrison was summoned to New York to meet Tuesday with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss the NFL's stricter enforcement of dangerous hits. Harrison termed the meeting "semi-productive," and he said it included a discussion about the Brees hit.

On that play, Harrison was given a roughing-the-passer penalty for tackling Brees from behind after the quarterback threw a pass.