Eric Reid takes cheap shot on Ben Roethlisberger (Video)
The Carolina Panthers are getting handled on primetime, and now Eric Reid has been thrown out for taking a cheap shot on Ben Roethlisberger.
Coming into Thursday night, the Panthers were hoping to make a statement. Boy, did they.
In their first primetime appearance of the season, Carolina laid the proverbial egg against the Steelers in what turned into a beating at Heinz Field. Then things got ugly in the third quarter. With Ben Roethlisberger scrambling for a first down and then some, Big Ben punctuated the play by sliding to the ground, only to be met by a torpedoing Eric Reid. Reid came in late and low, making contact with Roethlisberger’s head.
“@Panthers Eric Reid was ejected for unnecessary roughness for forcible contact to the head and neck area of a sliding quarterback in #CARvsPIT.” – AL pic.twitter.com/1MbDzjkrLK
— NFL Officiating (@NFLOfficiating) November 9, 2018
The result was a personal foul and ejection, along with a bevy of Steelers players led by Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro rushing to Roethlisberger’s aid.
Ultimately, the play will almost assuredly result in a hefty fine for Reid if not a potential suspension. Reid was whistled for a personal foul earlier in the year when he tossed Carson Wentz to the ground, and then fended off a hard-charging Zach Ertz in response to the hit.
#Panthers S Eric Reid tackles #Eagles QB Carson Wentz well after he hands off the ball, then pulls a wrestling move on TE Zach Ertz pic.twitter.com/0GNXenOv4D
— Kevin Boilard (@KevinBoilard) October 21, 2018
Reid, who went into the season unsigned after protesting during the national anthem last year, isn’t going to get ay favors from the league office.
The Panthers now limp back to Carolina after the shellacking, albeit as a 6-3 team with all possibilities ahead of it. Meanwhile, the Steelers continue to roll with what is their fifth consecutive win after beginning the year 1-2-1.