Joe Mays Suspended and Fined For Mike Tyson Hit

September 23 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos middle linebacker Joe Mays (51) is helped up after an injury during the third quarter of the game against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field. The Texans defeated the Broncos 31-25. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

Denver Broncos linebacker, Joe Mays hit Matt Schaub so hard in Sunday’s win that he took part of the quarterback’s ear off.

The play was such an egregious helmet-to-helmet penalty that even the replacement referees managed to make the personal foul call, which at the time amounted to the third personal foul and second consecutive roughing the passer penalty on that drive.

The hit knocked Schaub out of the game, albeit for only one play, but the point is that the illegal play could have changed the complexion of not only Sunday’s game, but the Texans season as a whole.

Roger Goodell agreed with the referee’s decision on the field and in fact handed down a one game suspension and a $50,000 fine for Mays. Mays made an attempt to appeal the decision but his appeal was denied, and he will sit out this week’s game against the Raiders.

The Washington Post quoted Schaub as saying “After the game, we shook hands and talked about it,” Schaub said. “No hard feelings. It’s football. It’s a physical, violent game. He said, ‘Hey, nothing intentional, nothing personal.’ We move on.”

No one could have expected Schaub to come out after the game and say the hit was dirty or anything disparaging about Mays whatsoever, that’s not how he’s wired. He goes out and plays tough football and could care less what the opposing team does.

If the Broncos do make the playoffs and face the Texans, however, it would not be out of the realm of possibilities for the two teams to have a little bad blood as the Bulls on Parade tend to take care of each other.