Vincent Frank
New England Patriots running back Sony Michel appeared to have committed a helmet-to-helmet penalty by lowering his helmet against Indianapolis Colts safety Clayton Geathers on Thursday night.
As the rookie running back was attempting to make his way to the end zone, he seemed to lower his head and target Geathers. The end result was Indy’s starting safety having to be taken to the locker room under the concussion protocol.
Check the play out here.
#Patriots rookie RB Sony Michel ran over #Colts Safety Clayton Geathers.
Geathers was taken to the locker room after that. https://t.co/QvAmetb0iO
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 5, 2018
Given all the scrutiny the NFL has received for calling penalties on defenders when it comes to similar plays, it seems there’s somewhat of a double standard.
The football world agreed.
Touch Tom Brady’s helmet: 15 yard penalty. Sony Michel uses the crown of his helmet as a weapon on a defender: Nada.
— Cam Worrell (@CamWorrell) October 5, 2018
So how is that not a penalty on Sony Michel?
— Matt Glenesk (@MattGlenesk) October 5, 2018
.@NFLOfficiating you guys got a minute?
How is this not a penalty on Sony Michel for lowering his helmet? 🤨#INDvsNE | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/rRL3O0SYOq
— Yahoo Sports NFL (@YahooSportsNFL) October 5, 2018
Both Anthony Walker and Clayton Gathers are in the NFL's concussion protocol. Both were injured tackling Sony Michel.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) October 5, 2018
Sony Michel should have had a 15-yard penalty and a touchdown on that drive. He got neither.
— Heath Cummings (@heathcummingssr) October 5, 2018
Sony Michel totally just had the lowering the head penalty that they simply aren't calling on running backs. Like they've just decided it isn't there. Kareem Hunt had the same thing last Monday.
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) October 5, 2018
Saw runs by Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt and Raiders RB Marshawn Lynch in Week 4 that were clear helmet-rule violations that went uncalled. Throw one from Sony Michel into the bunch. This is why defensive players get upset.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/DFSBBallGuy/status/1048016243490316288
How is this not a penalty on Sony Michel? #INDvsNE #TNF pic.twitter.com/yFDnFLzSMX
— Josh (@Jamazing21) October 5, 2018
That should be a flag on Sony Michel lowering crown – again Patriots get away with a call and hurt a Colt
— Connie Carberg (@ConnieScouts) October 5, 2018
…
