Minkah Fitzpatrick’s controversial hit on KC Concepcion got him a 15-yard unnecessary roughness flag, ended the Cleveland Browns receiver’s afternoon, and sparked a huge debate about whether the New York Jets safety crossed the line. But get this: Concepcion himself, after clearing concussion protocol, just publicly declared the collision “wasn’t a dirty hit. It was just a football play.” Talk about a plot twist nobody saw coming!
The Hit That Sparked the Firestorm, and the Unexpected Defense
Fitzpatrick was immediately flagged for unnecessary roughness during Cleveland’s 17-12 loss to New York on October 11th, a call that drew plenty of chatter. His actions have been under the microscope ever since, but the Jets safety has been consistent, telling reporters he never intended to injure Concepcion. He even expressed relief that Concepcion recovered quickly, saying, “It was a football play, in my opinion. Obviously you don’t want to see anybody get hurt. I’m happy to see he’s back and practicing this week. Bang bang play, as their coach put it.” It’s one thing for the guy who threw the hit to defend himself, right? It’s another thing entirely when the player who took the hit backs him up. Cleveland coach Todd Monken even chimed in, defending Fitzpatrick’s character and calling it an unfortunate bang-bang play, not an intentional attempt to injure someone.
Concussion Protocol Cleared, Fine Appeal Pending, and a Shifting Narrative
Concepcion clearing concussion protocol on Friday is fantastic news, obviously. It means he’s available for Cleveland’s Week 6 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. That’s the most important thing, seeing a player back on the field after a scary moment. But his willingness to stand up for Fitzpatrick after taking a shot that ended his game and caused a concussion? That absolutely shifts the conversation. The NFL still slapped Fitzpatrick with a fine, and he’s planning to appeal it. The league will have the final say on whether any further discipline is coming. But with the player directly involved saying there were “no hard feelings” and that it “wasn’t a dirty hit,” you gotta wonder what that means for the appeal.
It’s a wild turn of events for a hit that had everyone talking. Concepcion’s return to practice is huge, and with his words now out there, the NFL’s decision on Fitzpatrick’s appeal suddenly feels like it’s got an even bigger spotlight on it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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