TYREO HARRISON FINE APPEAL
Appeal to the Office of the NFL Commissioner – September 2003
For Immediate Release
New York, NY – Tyreo Harrison, a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, was fined $5,000 by the Office of the NFL Commissioner for unnecessary roughness in a game against the New England Patriots on September 14, 2003. Based upon the initial conversation between Tyreo and his agent, Eugene T. Lee, Esq. of ETL Associates, Inc., it was determined that the fine was not justified and that Tyreo would appeal the fine.
As an attorney admitted in the State of New York, Eugene T. Lee, Esq. handled the appeal. Mr. Lee requested, reviewed and analyzed videotape of the alleged offense, formulated and presented a cogent, compelling argument to vacate the fine based upon analysis of the videotape (i.e., impact was minimal and initial contact was not sustained, Tyreo did not explode through the player with intent and malice), drafted an affidavit from Tyreo explaining his actions, drafted and verified a character affidavit for Tyreo from himself extolling the fact that Tyreo had never before been penalized, in his collegiate or professional career for unsportsmanlike conduct or unnecessary roughness, researched and analyzed the complete, exhaustive list of fines previously handed out by the NFL in 2003 and formulated an argument to rescind and/or reduce the fine based upon precedent. Ultimately, the fine was rescinded completely and Tyreo saved $5,000.
TYREO HARRISON APPEAL DECISION LETTER (OCTOBER 9, 2003)
“Pursuant to Article XI, Section 1(c) of the 1993 Collective Bargaining Agreement, Commissioner Tagliabue has authorized me [Art Shell] to advise you of the following decision with respect to Tyreo Harrison’s appeal of the $5,000 fine assessed by Gene Washington for unnecessary roughness during the New England Patriots-Philadelphia Eagles game on September 14, 2003. For the reasons stated below, the fine is rescinded…
It was argued that Mr. Harrison did not try to hit the opposing player, but instead pulled the opposing player off his teammate as a preventive measure. Furthermore, it was argued that Mr. Harrison did not explode towards the opposing player and there was no prolonged contact when he pulled the opposing player off his teammate…Finally, it was argued that Mr. Harrison’s intentions during this incident were honorable and he has never had an unnecessary roughness penalty in his NFL career…
The videotape of the incident clearly showed that Mr. Harrison pulled an opposing player off his teammate who was clearly in a vulnerable position…Mr. Harrison did not use excessive force or provoke an altercation when he pulled the opposing player off his teammate. There was nothing egregious about what Mr. Harrison did to protect his teammate from possible injury. Accordingly, the fine is rescinded.
By copy of this letter, the Eagles are instructed to remit $5,000 to Mr. Harrison.”
“Not only will we negotiate the most money for you, we’ll protect it once it’s yours.”
– Eugene T. Lee, Esq.
President/CEO
ETL Associates, Inc.