Things didn’t go as planned for the Cleveland Browns in the regular-season opener. It was a fantastic afternoon for them initially, seeing as they jumped on the Kansas City Chiefs with a 22-10 lead in the first half, but things fell apart not long thereafter. In the eventual 33-29 loss to Patrick Mahomes and Co., the Browns made a myriad of mistakes that were foreshadowed by a big one from safety Ronnie Harrison — who shoved Chiefs running backs coach Greg Lewis on the sideline during a first-quarter scrum that also saw Harrison himself (first) shoved by Lewis.
Harrison’s transgression was initially overlooked by NFL officials but they’d revisit it “after further discussion”, and opted to eject him from the game immediately. He’s now also been fined a hefty sum of $12,128 by the league, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, but Lewis received no such penalty. Lewis was instead issued a warning by the NFL, despite his role in the shoving match.
Harrison will reportedly appeal in the hopes of having his fine overturned, per Nate Ulrich of The Akron Beacon Journal.
The Browns could’ve used Harrison’s services as the game wore on, to say the least. Mahomes and the Chiefs scored the entirety of their 33 points after he was ejected from the game, including 337 passing yards and three touchdowns to zero interceptions. Harrison did dodge a possible suspension, however, meaning he’ll be eligible to take the field when the Browns play host to Tyrod Taylor and the Houston Texans on Sunday — his pockets being a good bit lighter.
Considering Lewis wasn’t punished, along with how the game shook out in Week 1 for Cleveland following a brutal postseason exit in Kansas City, you can bet the budding rivalry just hit fever pitch.
