Pittsburgh Steelers center Cody Wallace will likely get a deliver from FedEx on either Tuesday or Wednesday and it won’t be a Christmas card from commissioner Roger Goodell.
Wallace is expected to be fined for diving head-first into Denver Broncos linebacker David Bruton Jr. in the first half of Sunday’s 34-27 win, resulting in an unnecessary roughness penalty.
On the play in question, Wallace took offense to wide receiver Antonio Brown getting hit in the head by a Broncos defensive player following a catch over the middle and the center admitted as much after the game that his actions were retaliatory-based.
“You know, their guy kind of took a shot at AB, so we really couldn’t let that fly,” Wallace said, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “That’s the way it’s going to go. But that’s not right.”
In 2013, Wallace was fined $17,875 for two different infractions that took place in the Steelers Week 14 game against the Miami Dolphins. Those fines included a $7,875 charge for grabbing Dolphins defensive tackle Randy Starks in the groin following a fumble. He was also fined $10,000 for a late hit on another play in that same game.
While Wallace isn’t expected to be suspended for his actions on Sunday, it’s certainly not out of the question being as the league took action Monday afternoon against New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. for his Sunday afternoon premeditated helmet-to-helmet shot on Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman.
Like Beckham, Wallace had a running start before launching himself helmet-first into a player’s head and neck area.
“Everyone is making a big deal out of Odell’s deal, but it’s nothing on (Wallace). I’m pretty sure my head was down, the play was over, whistle blown,” Bruton said Monday. “Heck, I didn’t go in there and shoot at his guy.
“That’s just what they do. They’re dirty. He left his feet trying to take me out.”
