Steve Smith Fight: Roman Harper Pulls Bonehead Move by Not Apologizing for Hit

New Orleans Saints defensive back Roman Harper kick started a fight with Steve Smith and other members of the Carolina Panthers last Sunday, and on Thursday he made a dumb move by publicly announcing he wasn't going to apologize. 

Harper should have either said he was sorry for the late hit that caused a brawl between the two teams, or just say nothing at all. 

Now he looks like a fool not just in the eyes of NFL fans, but also to those in charge of issuing fines to NFL players. 

Roger Goodell has cracked down on the NFL, and a lot of people say he's been very strict since taking over. 

Expect him and the NFL to fine Harper, and it could be a larger amount than originally thought after these comments. 

Per Pro Football Talk: 

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"I just was like, ‘You’re not going to walk and showboat in our end zone like that,’” Harper said. “I just lost it, and maybe I shouldn’t have hit him but I did. I’m not going to apologize for what I did."

"

Smith didn't really showboat though because he never really had a chance. He walks into the end zone after making a great play and then Harper drilled him. 

The Panthers top receiver took the high road at first, but after other teammates got into it then Smith went at Harper. None of this was really needed, but the players got caught up in the heat of emotion and reacted poorly. 

It's fine if he's not sorry for doing what he did, but there's no need to speak at all. If a reporter asks you a question; just say it happened, it's over and now on to the next game. 

Sure, he has to know the league is going to take action for it since it was the start of a fight that he was also involved in, but that doesn't mean you have to let the world know you could basically care less about what happened. 

It doesn't look good on Harper, as well as the Saints. 

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera took up for his team, but at the same time he went a little too far. 

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"You’re coming into our place and you’re going to come after one of our guys? We’re not going to take it,” Rivera said. “That’s just the way it is. This is our house. You come in here, you’re not going to shove us around. I’m glad it happened the way it did. People need to know: We’re going to hit you back." 

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That sends a strong message, but as the head coach, Rivera didn't need to say it. Stating you're glad your team got in a fight doesn't bode well for your team, coach. 

Goodell has some decisions to make, and the comments made about this incident will surely be taken into consideration. 

In the end, the appropriate punishment will be handed out, and hopefully both teams will forget about it. Although, when these two teams meet in the final game of the season on January 1st, these players will be ones to watch.