Pittsburgh Steelers fans watched the Cam Sutton situation unfold with one eye closed, hoping for a good outcome, but unsure what that is. After spending six seasons in black and gold, the Steelers chose not to re-sign Sutton; the reality was they weren't able to offer him the deal he got from the Detroit Lions at three years, $33 million. However, Sutton's career hit a brick wall after only one year with the Lions.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Cam Sutton intercepts a pass.
Sutton found himself the subject of an arrest warrant for aggravated battery and domestic violence from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Initially, Sutton failed to turn himself in, and a manhunt was launched. The Lions chose to release Sutton on the heels of the felony warrant, even though he eventually turned himself in. The charges were reduced to a misdemeanor, and the NFL took a while to issue an eight-game suspension for his actions.
The details released of Sutton's actions are quite gruesome. He is accused of strangling his girlfriend and the mother of his three children during an argument between the two at their Florida home. He reportedly slammed her into a wall, bit her neck, which caused bleeding, and then choked her enough to cause her to lose consciousness. He took off before officers could respond to the scene.
Cameron Sutton assaulting and strangling his girl, and only being suspended 8 games is absolutely insane
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) July 10, 2024
The Steelers chose to re-sign Sutton before the NFL announced his suspension, which immediately polarized the NFL community. Notably, former NFL journeyman linebacker Will Compton has taken to X to express his frustration with the NFL's decision to allow Sutton to continue to play.
"Cameron Sutton assaulting and strangling his girl, and only being suspended 8 games is absolutely insane," posted Compton.
The eight-game suspension seems to have fallen on the heavier end of the league's punishment spectrum. Ever since the Ray Rice incident, the baseline punishment has been a six-game suspension. However, the league could always add or subtract weeks based on its investigation.
In 2019, Kareem Hunt, then the running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, also received an eight-game suspension after he was caught on tape pushing and kicking a woman. The league seemed to take domestic violence accusations more seriously after Rice was banned from the league amid complaints that Commissioner Roger Goodell wasn't doing enough to send a message to players. Regardless, some feel players who are proven guilty of domestic violence should never be allowed to return to the field.
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Kareem Hunt last played for the Browns.
This isn't entirely new to Pittsburgh. For years, Steelers fans have dealt with the fallout of the choices that a very young Ben Roethlisberger allegedly made. Unlike Sutton's case, there were never any charges against the quarterback. His decision to settle out of court prompted outrage from those who felt he would have fought the accusations that he was innocent.
Are Steelers Fans Being Hypocritical?
Even though Roethlisberger wasn't charged with a crime, rival fans had fun ridiculing him on social media. This is particularly true of Cleveland Browns fans, who felt they found some small victory amid tough losing seasons.
Then, in 2022, the Browns seemed to try to one-up the Steelers by bringing in Deshaun Watson. Watson had not played during the 2021 season as allegations swirled that he had sexually harassed numerous women. The Browns traded for Watson, giving him the most guaranteed money and largest contract in the NFL, while they waited to find out what his punishment would be from the league. Ultimately, he received an 11-game suspension.
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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, Alex Highsmith (56) takes down Cleveland Browns quarterback, Deshaun Watson (4) during a regular season game in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers fans couldn't believe that Browns fans could be so hypocritical. After years of near-constant harassment about Roethlisberger, the Browns organization had brought in someone who'd allegedly behaved far worse. Have the Steelers flipped the script yet again with the signing of Sutton? Mike Florio thinks so. He said recently that Steelers fans are hypocritical based on all the grief they gave the Browns over Watson. They are not putting that same energy into speaking out against the re-signing of Sutton.
What do you think about Sutton's suspension and the Steelers' decision to re-sign him? Click to comment below.
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