Steelers Safety Hit with Heavy Fine from Bengals Game

Steelers safety Damontae Kazee was fined $11,806 for unnecessary roughness on a hit in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals. The hit came against Irv Smith Jr. and forced a fourth down. In this case, he hit Smith up high and in the head and neck area. It was not called a penalty on the field.

No other Steelers nor Bengals were fined for any other hits during the game. This is Kazee’s fifth fine of the year, making him the most often fined player on the team. However, he still has not equaled the amount of fines that running back Jaylen Warren has racked up this season.

Fine amounts are set by the NFL CBA. Fines go to the Professional Athletes Foundation, which gives money to NFL legends in need and provides funds to support the health and safety of football players at all levels.

The Steelers have been fined nearly $400,000 so far this season. Here’s a summary of some of the notable fines this season:

2023 Steelers Fines

Week 1 SS Keanu Neal $8,556 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Week 1 LS Christian Kuntz $5,222 Face Mask
Week 2 ILB Kwon Alexander $43,709 Late Hit
Week 2 S Damontae Kazee $11,806 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Week 2 ILB Elandon Roberts $43,708 Impermissible Use of Helmet
Week 2 RB Jaylen Warren $48,556 Impermissible Use of Helmet
Week 3 ILB Kwon Alexander $43,709 Impermissible Use of Helmet
Week 3 SS Miles Killebrew $13,792 Helmet-to-Helmet Hit
Week 5 OLB T.J. Watt $13,659 Uniform/Equipment Violation
Week 5 OLB T.J. Watt $11,473 Hit on Defenseless Player
Week 7 WR Diontae Johnson $10,927 Taunting
Week 7 S Damontae Kazee $11,806 Impermissible Use of Helmet
Week 7 WR George Pickens $8,525 Taunting
Week 7 WR George Pickens $8,525 Blindside Block
Week 7 RB Jaylen Warren $48,556 Impermissible Use of Helmet
Week 8 S Damontae Kazee $11,806 Impermissible Use of Helmet
Week 8 S Damontae Kazee $11,806 Hit on Defenseless Player
Week 8 OLB T.J. Watt $16,391 Roughing the Passer
Week 8 WR Diontae Johnson $25,000 Criticizing Officials
Week 10 OLB Nick Herbig $5,101 Unnecessary Roughness                                                                                                                        Week 12 S Damontae Kazee $11,806 Unnecessary Roughness