The big story of the week has been how David Bruton played nearly all of Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a broken leg, but that’s not the only Bruton-centric story Broncos Country has been interested in.
Just a few plays after Bruton suffered his broken leg in a collision with cornerback Aqib Talib, Bruton was leveled on a clear cheap shot from Steelers lineman Cody Wallace.
All the talk about OBJ is justified, but this hit by Pittsburgh OL Cody Wallace on @D_Brut30 might be just as bad. https://t.co/w6vUfc62Al
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 21, 2015
With all the talk surrounding Odell Beckham Jr.’s suspension for his hit on Josh Norman — and with the Concussion movie coming out this Friday — there was all the reason in the world to believe that Wallace would face a similar punishment to ODB’s.
Well, apparently, that’s not the case.
#Steelers C Cody Wallace was fined $23,152, I'm told, for his unnecessary roughness act vs. #Broncos S David Bruton, who called it dirty
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2015
And it’s safe to say that Wallace’s apology (if you can call it that) rung a little hollow.
Spoke to Leonard Roth, agent for #Steelers C Cody Wallace. “We wish him the best. Hope he’s OK. Cody had nothing malicious against (Bruton)"
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2015
The only difference between ODB’s and Wallace’s hits is that ODB had already been called for two personal fouls against Norman earlier in the game; there was clearly more to the story than just the one hit. Still, though, Wallace’s hit was so blatant and uncalled-for that it’s hard to accept that he didn’t deserve a bigger penalty.
I have no doubt if Cody Wallace was a defensive player and hit a receiver like he hit David Bruton Jr, he would have quickly been suspended.
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) December 23, 2015
A disappointing decision from a league that claims to be all about player safety.