New England tight end Rob Gronkowki suffered a serious knee injury when he was hit low by Cleveland safety T.J. Ward in the third quarter of the Patriots win over the Browns on Sunday.
The injury ended Gronkowski’s season.
Ward said he had no choice but to go low because strict rules about hitting players too high.
“When they set the rule, everyone knew what was going to happen,” Ward said. “This can happen if you have those types of situations. It’s pretty much inevitable and they forced our hand with this one.
“I’ve been fined three times, and I don’t like playing for free. If you go ask anybody in this league would they like to play for free? No. Repeat offenders, they’re starting to suspend people for the year. I can’t risk that. I won’t risk that. And, I’ve got to play within the rules, point blank.”
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