James Harrison Punch Draws Personal Foul Penalty and Criticism

[Teacher Mark 53]

As much as I despise the Steelers I'm starting to lean towards the notion that this was a clean play. The punch was actually an open handed slap and the rest was just one player dominating another. He did hold him down though. Holding may have been the appropriate call.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison had reason to celebrate after he helped his team win their sixth Super Bowl.

But James Harrison was also upset about a personal foul penalty he received near the end of the game that may have cost him the MVP award. Cardinals fans, on the other hands, are angered by the Harrison cheap shot that should have gotten him thrown out of the game.

With 3:26 left and the Steelers leading 20-14, Harrison knocked down Cardinal Aaron Francisco, punched him, and shoved him another three times. Harrison was called for a personal foul, which is normally 15 yards, but in this case it was only half the distance in the goal line. Many Cardinals fans believe he should have been ejected from the game.

The penalty did not cost the Steelers the game, but it may have cost Harrison the Super Bowl MVP Award. Prior to the infraction, Harrison had played a great game. The 247-pound linebacker made one of the biggest defensive plays in Super Bowl history, intercepting a Kurt Warner pass at his own goal line and rumbling 100 yards for the touchdown.

The Super Bowl MVP was awarded to Steelers wide receiever Santonio Holmes.

http://www.nowpublic.com/sports/james-harr...y-and-criticism

Edited February 3, 2009 by Joe Six-Pack