On Sunday January 17th, 2021, the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Cleveland Browns for the Divisional playoff for the right to play in the AFC Championship. With 1:42 left in the first half, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield completed a pass to wide receiver Rashard Higgins. Higgins dove toward the end zone in an attempt to score when Chiefs safety (#49) Daniel Sorensen dropped his head hitting Higgins with the crown of his helmet in an attempt to make a tackle. The ball was fumbled by Higgins into the end zone resulting in Kansas City possession. Despite the line judge being within three feet of the play, a targeting penalty was not called. Because targeting was not called on the field, per the NFL rule, it cannot be challenged after the fact. In the NCAA, if targeting is suspected in the booth, but not called on the field, the booth can call down to stop play for review. This part of the rule has not been adopted by the NFL which does not seem to have much logic. 

It was determined on January 23rd that the NFL would not choose to fine Sorensen for the hit because a fine would indicate that the NFL officials made the wrong call.  Basically, because the NFL doesn't want to excuse a play that cost the Browns a potential seven points (they lost by five), they are allowing the targeting call to go unpenalized. This jeopardizes safety integrity of the NFL and is a horrible example for the youth football leagues as children will see this as a legal hit since there was no accountability when in reality it was extremely dangerous for both the tackler and the individual being tackled. Concussions are a very serious injury that the NFL does not seem to take seriously and by refusing to fine an NFL player for a blatant targeting hit because it would force the NFL to apologize to a football team for a pivotal game moment is simply childish, unprofessional and quite sad. Roger Goodell and the NFL need to be held accountable for completely disregarding player safety in an effort to cover up poor officiating in a game with significant repercussions. 

2/15/21 Update - I'm adding to this because it was brought to my attention that the NFL chose to investigate and fine Antoine Winfield Jr. for "taunting" Tyreek Hill during the Super Bowl. It's interesting that the NFL will use resources and take the time out to investigate a harmless taunting call and even go as far as to fine a player, but they cannot be bothered to investigate a blatant helmet to helmet tackle by Daniel Sorensen on Rashard Higgins during an AFC playoff game. The priorities of the NFL are highly questionable and the NFLPA also seems to be doing nothing about this. This should give petitioners even more motivation to sign this petition. Please sign and share.