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Steelers Pro Bowler Was Fined $17,389 For This Hit Against Sam Darnold, As Chris Halicke Reported Earlier This Week

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Pittsburgh, PA – September 2025 – In a week where the Pittsburgh Steelers were already staggering from injuries and setbacks, linebacker Patrick Queen found himself at the center of fresh controversy. The NFL has fined Queen $17,389 for a hit on Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold during last Sunday’s Week 2 clash—a game that ended in a 31-17 defeat for Pittsburgh.

VIDEOS: https://x.com/DKPghSports/status/1968760071296315647

The fine, first reported by Chris Halicke of DK Pittsburgh Sports, wasn’t just about one collision. It was a reminder of the league’s sharpened stance on quarterback safety, a message delivered in dollar signs: hit the passer, pay the price.

For Queen, the penalty comes at a time when the Steelers’ defense is already under siege. Alex Highsmith and Joey Porter Jr.—two of the unit’s cornerstones—are sidelined with injuries, leaving gaps in a defense once feared for its steel spine. Now, instead of headlines about leadership and tackles, Queen’s name is tied to a fine that paints the picture of a defense losing both bodies and battles.

The hit itself? Fans split. Some saw it as routine contact in a violent game, others as reckless. The NFL’s verdict was swift and costly. To many, it reflects the league’s broader push to protect quarterbacks at all costs—a crusade that’s changing the DNA of defensive football.

“We want safety,” one fan posted, “but are we stripping the heart out of defense?”

It’s the same argument replayed every Sunday: the balance between safeguarding players and preserving the raw, punishing essence of the sport.

For Queen, $17,389 isn’t just a financial penalty. It’s a symbol of the spotlight now on him and his defense, a unit that must regroup fast with Week 3 looming in Foxborough. Against the Patriots, every snap will matter. And for a Steelers team desperate to rewrite its story, every headline counts.

In Pittsburgh, fines come and go. But what the Steelers need now is a statement on the field—proof that even battered, this defense still carries the iron spirit of the Black and Gold.

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Eagles Star CB Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean is mourning a profound personal loss following the team’s Week 5 game , as his cousin Justin Fuller a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.   Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.”   DeJean —whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Dejean that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how he lives and plays today.” In the Eagles’ defensive system, DeJean has steadily earned complete trust thanks to his versatility — working outside at corner, in the slot (nickel), and on coverage units — and standing out for top-end speed, precise tackling angles, and the ability to read quarterbacks. Coaches describe him as “calm, wise beyond his years, and disciplined at the catch point,” consistently maintaining leverage and finishing clean in tight spaces. Through the first five games of 2025, DeJean has played every defensive snap and totaled 36 tackles (26 solo) with five passes defensed, reinforcing his value on the perimeter and inside.  The Philadelphia Eagles have provided time and private support for DeJean and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. An FAA investigation into the accident is underway, while tributes to “Spidey” continue to pour in across social media from military colleagues, fellow skydivers, and fans nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. DeJean kept his public remarks brief before being embraced by teammates:“He taught me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”