Defender: I Tackled Keller Low to Avoid Fines

The NFL’s emphasis on fining “helmet-to-helmet” hits may make players vulnerable to being hit low, which could potentially be more damaging. 

Case in point: Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger, whose gruesome hit on former New York Jets and current Miami Dolphins tight end Dustin Keller and knocked him out for the season, said he did not want to hit Keller high because he was afraid of being fined. 

He said he went low because, “In this league you’ve got to go low. If you go high you’re going to get a fine.”