‘I didn’t know where I was’

Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. says that he doesn’t remember the “scary” hit that knocked him out and resulted in the suspension of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Damontae Kazee for the rest of the season.

Pittman discussed the injury with reporters on Friday after clearing concussion protocol for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.

“I honestly never saw him coming,” Pittman said, per ESPN. “I was diving, I caught it, and then all of a sudden, I woke up and there’s people looking down at me. I was like, ‘Oh, s***, what just happened?”

The hit took place in Indianapolis’ 30-13 win over the Steelers on Saturday. Quarterback Gardner Minshew targeted Pittman with a downfield pass. As the ball arrived and Pittman laid out in an attempt to catch it, Kazee dove and speared Pittman at high speed with a helmet-to-helmet hit.

Kazee was ejected from the game, and the NFL announced Tuesday that he was suspended for the rest of the season and playoffs if Pittsburgh makes the postseason.

Pittman said Friday that the hit was the first time as a football player that a hit made him think “Maybe this was bad.” His wife Kianna and daughter Mila were in tears when they met him in the locker room after the hit.

“It’s by the pure grace of God that I was able to get up and walk,” Pittman said, per USA Today. “That was a scary hit. Going through my head at the point was nothing. I wasn’t thinking nothing. I didn’t know where I was at.”

Damontae Kazee, right, left Michael Pittman Jr. concussed with this hit. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Six days later, Pittman has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol. He’s officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, but because of a shoulder injury, not his brain injury. Pittman believes that the hit to the head was intentional.

“I do think that they were head-hunting, but I don’t think he meant to impose life-changing injury,” Pittman said, per USA Today. “I don’t think any player has that in them.

“You never want to see guys lose…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-michael-pittman-jr-doesnt-remember-scary-damontae-kazee-hit-that-knocked-him-out-i-didnt-know-where-i-was-021806026.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2023-12-23 02:18:06

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