NFL punish Seattle Seahawks

Omnisports

September 19, 2016 5:44 AM

Seattle Seahawks have been fined $400,000 by the NFL and lost a fifth-round draft pick in the 2017 Draft for "excessive on-field physical contact"

___5509087___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___5509087___2016___9___19___22___pete-carroll-91916-usnews-getty-ftr_1hqklb9v0g8p313pay18edduf8_2

The Seattle Seahawks have been fined $400,000 by the NFL and lost a fifth-round draft pick in the 2017 Draft for "excessive on-field physical contact" from their players in the offseason.

Coach Pete Carroll has also been fined $200,000, while the Seahawks will forfeit the first week of next season's organised team activities, which covers three days in total.

An NFL statement said: "During the team’s June 6, 2016 Organised Team Activity (OTA) day, players engaged in excessive on-field physical contact, which is expressly prohibited in all offseason workouts under the NFL-NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

"The prohibition is one of several measures the NFL and NFLPA implemented to enhance player safety by limiting contact during offseason workout programs. The rules also help to prevent any team from gaining a competitive advantage."

The statement also revealed that "any additional violation of the CBA's player work rules, or any violation affecting the competitive aspects of the game, will likely result in significantly higher fines, the cancellation of future OTA days, minicamp days, preseason or regular season practices, as well as the forfeiture of higher-round or multiple draft selections."

The loss of a draft pick was a result of the Seahawks violating the offseason workout rules for a second time. The club was previously punished in 2012.

Omnisports

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!