Derick Hall, a third-year outside linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks, faces a one-game suspension from the NFL following an incident involving Los Angeles Rams guard Kevin Dotson. This suspension, which the Department of Player Safety sustained on appeal, will force Hall to forfeit a weekly game check—in Hall’s case an estimated $87,700. Hall’s absence will be felt during the Seahawks’ Week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, though he is eligible to return to the active roster the day after the game.
In a typical game, Hall displayed just how sharp he can be with a quick fake to hop over Dotson. He just didn’t want to get rolled up on. As Hall explains, his toes were already touching the ground when his heel accidentally touched Dotson’s leg. NFL officials found the act serious enough to merit a suspension. In short order, however, Hall’s coach—Michigan’s defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald—sounded off on the situation to defend his player.
Macdonald acknowledged that he needs to have trust in Hall’s character and intentions. “I just really refuse to believe there was ill intent in that play,” he stated. He reiterated how Hall has been told explicitly how to take care of his body in games. He added that he does not consider Hall to be a dirty player.
Hall’s teammates echoed Macdonald’s sentiments. Leonard Williams, a fellow Seahawk, remarked, “I don’t know of my teammate Derick Hall as a dirty player, and I can’t imagine that he would intentionally try to hurt a player.” Williams gave some insight into Hall’s unique style of play. He stated that “everything Derick does just looks great,” which could have shaped the narrative around what aggression looked like during the encounter.
The Seahawks have turned to Hall as one of their four-man outside linebacker rotation during the regular season. He’s been playing around 30 snaps a game. Through 13 games with the team, he’s completely reinvigorated the line’s pass rush, racking up a sack and 10 QB hits. Selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Hall has quickly become an integral part of the Seahawks’ defensive strategy.
While the decision to suspend Macdonald was always controversial, Macdonald hasn’t turned his back on his support for Hall. In doing so, he shone a spotlight on the player’s character and dedication to on-the-field sportsmanship. “Just because we know Derick as a player, as a person,” he said, indicating that there is no malice in Hall’s actions on the field.
In the meantime, the Seahawks have started preparation for their next game Saturday night against Carolina. Until then, they’ll have to think of a game plan without one of their most important defensive players. Macdonald’s defense of Hall signals a strong belief in the player’s integrity and underscores the complexities of interpreting on-field incidents in professional sports.
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