Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson is flying to New York on Wednesday to meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, seeking clarity on how to avoid future punishment from the league.
So far, Jackson has been suspended for a total of six games, ejected twice, and fined $89,670 for illegal hits.
His most recent suspension was for four games following a hit on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs in Week 11. He was also suspended four games for a hit on Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave in Week 7, but it was reduced to two games after an appeal. Jackson appealed his suspension for the Dobbs hit, but it was upheld by the league.
In his meeting with Goodell, Jackson hopes to understand why he feels he is being singled out for hits that he believes occur every week across the league.
“For me, I see a lot of the same things happening around the league where guys aren’t going through what I’m going through — no flags, no fines, no suspensions,” Jackson said.
“I’m not really sure why I’m being treated the way I’m being treated. I’m making regular football plays, nothing malicious, in my opinion. I just want to know why I’m the only person going through what I’m going through.”
During their conversation, Jackson plans to ask Goodell how he can avoid future punishment from the league. Hits with the crown of his helmet and launching himself at opponents are the actions that have drawn the ire of the league.
“There’s no clarity, a lot of gray area,” Jackson said. “I asked them a ton of questions and told them I’ll be in the same situations. How am I supposed to play or how am I supposed to go about these situations?”
“So, hopefully, something comes from this meeting. I don’t think much will, because I don’t even think they know. At this point, I feel like I’m the poster child for whatever they’re trying to get across or prove. So, we’ll see.”
Jackson’s Broncos teammates showed their support by wearing “Free KJack” t-shirts during warmups on Sunday.
Jackson will miss the Broncos’ games against the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Detroit Lions, after sitting out this past Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns. He is eligible to return for Denver’s Christmas Eve game against the New England Patriots.
An important point that Jackson said he will also address with Goodell is in regards to suspended players not being allowed at team facilities while they sit out.
“For the league to advocate for mental health, but, you know, to cut a guy off from everything? You can’t come into the building. You can’t cold tub and all that kind of stuff in the building,” Jackson said.
“I mean, you can’t tell me that you care about the guys and then you cut them off. What if I don’t have a support system, you know? So, it’s a lot of things they’re saying and doing that’s contradictory, in my opinion. So, hopefully, I can get some clarity.”
