Steelers’ Damontae Kazee Explains The Truth About The Michael Pittman Tackle: “It Did Slow Me Down A Little Bit”

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a dreadful December in 2023, suffering back-to-back home losses to some of the league's weakest teams. Their playoff prospects went from promising to bleak in just three weeks. The game against the Indianapolis Colts exemplified the Steelers' struggles. During a critical play, a poorly thrown pass forced Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to dive for the catch.

This put Steelers defensive back Damontae Kazee in a tough spot. He had to decide in a split second whether to allow Pittman to make a big play or attempt to break up the pass. Kazee chose to break up the pass, leading to a frightening moment where Pittman was down on the field. Thankfully, Pittman was okay, but the play sparked a heated debate on social media.

Fans were divided on who was to blame. Kazee had support from many, but others labeled him a dirty player. Some pointed fingers at Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew for throwing what is known as a "hospital pass." Kazee was ejected from the game and suspended for the remainder of the regular season. Joe Rutter interviewed Kazee about the hit. Kazee revealed that moment made him change the way he plays the game.

“I definitely got to change. I have to. The NFL is changing, so I have to change with it. They are putting in new rules, and you have to adjust to it.”

The NFL has made a strong effort to emphasize player safety. However, defenders have criticized these measures, arguing that they primarily protect offensive players while neglecting the safety of defensive players. This has also led to confusion among defenders about how to play effectively within the legal limits of the game.

When Kazee returned for the Steelers' playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, he admitted that the NFL's approach to his hit on Pittman had shaken him. During one play, Bills quarterback Josh Allen ran and appeared to fake a slide. Kazee was about to tackle him but hesitated, missing the tackle. Allen went on to score a crucial rushing touchdown.

If Kazee hadn't frozen, the Steelers might have stopped Allen. This play sparked intense debate about whether it was a fake slide. What is undeniable, however, is that Kazee's hesitation limited his effectiveness on that play.

“I was happy (to be back), but it did slow me down a little bit,” Kazee said. “I’m wondering, ‘How do I approach people now?’ … He [Josh Allen] ran that fake slide on me, and it froze me up. Do I take my shot? I don’t know. Do I let them catch the ball, do I wait till he catches it and looks at me before I make a tackle? There were a lot of things going through my head.”

Steelers' Damontae Kazee Gets Support From Tom Brady

Kazee's primary goal was to prevent Pittman from making the catch. The ball was poorly thrown, and even Steelers' arch-nemesis Tom Brady came to Kazee's defense, blaming the quarterback for placing the ball in a dangerous area.

While it is crucial to protect players in the league, the NFL is inherently dangerous, and defenders often have to make split-second decisions. If they make a mistake and allow a score, they risk losing their job or playing time. It's a difficult position, and recent rule changes have made it even harder for defenders to know the right course of action. 

This moment in the Steelers' season has profoundly impacted Kazee, and he is now working to find the right way to play the game to avoid further fines and suspensions.

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