Baltimore Ravens linebacker Courtney Upshaw gave the debut of Thursday Night Football on CBS a proper introduction by absolutely annihilating Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on an early first-quarter sack.
Unfortunately, Upshaw’s bone-crushing blow did not go unpenalized despite being a seemingly legal hit. It appears that Upshaw hit Roethlisberger squarely in the chest, but the second-year linebacker was flagged for a 15-yard personal foul nonetheless.
The questionable call sparked some entertaining discussion about just how ridiculous the penalty was.
Worse flag for touching the QB: Last week on DJ Swearinger or this week on Courtney Upshaw?
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 12, 2014
Ed Hochuli explains the penalty on Courtney Upshaw: “He attempted to “tackle” the Quarterback, which is an illegal move, hence the penalty.”
— NOT SportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) September 12, 2014