After a day of deliberation regarding how to discipline Sal Alosi for his intentional tripping of Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll on the sideline Sunday, the Jets came down hard on their strength and conditioning coach, announcing last night that he has been suspended without pay for the rest of the season and fined $25,000.
During that period, the 33-year-old Alosi, who has been with the Jets for eight years, will have no access to the team’s training facility or any interaction with coaches or players as it pertains to his job function. He will be eligible to return to the facility on the day following the end of the Jets’ 2010 season.
“We’re extremely disappointed in Sal and we’re holding him accountable for his actions,” Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said upon announcing the decision.
Tannenbaum said he was “floored” by what Alosi did when he saw the TV replay.
Prior to being informed of his suspension, Alosi stood before reporters earlier today looking shaken, on the verge of tears and with his lips quivering at times as he publicly took responsibility for the incident.
Alosi, caught clearly on tape by the TV cameras, stuck his left knee out and intentionally tripped Carroll as he was running up the sideline as the gunner covering a punt. The rookie lay on the ground for a couple of minutes injured, but continued to play.
After the game, the Dolphins were livid, ripping into Alosi and the Jets.
Yesterday, Alosi was emotional and remorseful.
“I let everybody down [Sunday] with my actions,” he said. “My actions were inexcusable and irresponsible. I’m extremely thankful that my actions didn’t result in any significant injury.”
Coach Rex Ryan, saying he was “stunned” when he heard of Alosi’s action, began his press conference by publicly apologizing to Carroll and the Dolphins, saying what Alosi did “has no business in this league or anywhere else.”
“Sal made a huge mistake,” Ryan said. “I can’t remember anything like this happening. It’s got no place in this game.”
Ryan said Alosi called him Sunday night and apologized.
“My biggest thing is I was stunned that something like this took place,” Ryan said. “It’s something he regrets. He made a mistake and he admitted it.”
Alosi said he apologized to Carroll and Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano after the game and also spoke with Jets owner Woody Johnson, Tannenbaum and Ryan to apologize.
Asked why he did it, Alosi said: “You’re asking me to give you a logical explanation to an illogical act. I can’t explain it. I wasn’t thinking. If I could go back and do it again I sure as heck would take a step back. That’s the problem. Nothing went through my head. I wasn’t thinking.”
Alosi said when he tripped Carroll he immediately “felt terrible,” adding, “My heart went up into my throat.”
“[The Dolphins] were upset and rightfully so,” he said. “I accept responsibility for my actions and respect the team’s decision.”
Alosi said his world has “been terrible” since the incident.
“It’s been horrible what I put my family through and what I put the organization through,” he said. “I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.”
Asked if he offered the Jets his resignation, Alosi said, “No.”
He was, in fact, working out players in the weight room as he usually does today.
Jets players expressed surprise that Alosi would do such a thing.
“Sal is a great, stand-up guy,” defensive tackle Sione Pouha said. “He’s a guy with great character, a guy that gets things done. He’s a very dependable guy, and the reason why he’s been here so long. He gets things done.”
Receiver Brad Smith said: “He made a mistake, and he’ll deal with it in whatever terms he has to deal with it, and we’ll support him whatever he does, just like he supports us and tries to get us ready every year.”
At the end of it all, it was ironic that a man whose job is to get players in shape and keep them healthy would intentionally try to hurt a player. It’s something Alosi will live with for the rest of his life.