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In the final moments of Thursday night's Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns game, Browns defender Myles Garrett tackled Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph, ripped Rudolph's helmet off and then swung it, hitting the quarterback in the head.
Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey then responded by punching and kicking Garrett in the head.
Friday afternoon, the National Football League came down with their fines and suspensions for the incident.
"For once the NFL acted quickly swiftly and correctly. I'm shocked," Francesa said. "I've been around the NFL for 40 years. I've never seen anything like that in my life. I've seen some crazy stuff. I remember tweeting in Week 2, Garrett was down the wrong path. He had done some stupid stuff. He was on the brink. I didn't know he had this type of crazy in him ... the penalty is every bit reasonable. Next year is in doubt. It's that severe what he did."
Although some are calling for harsh penalties for Garrett which could continue into the 2020 season, Francesa doesn't believe a lifetime ban is in the cards.
"I've had people in the league he could be gone for good ... I don't think so. If he did, he would be able to seek reinstatement after a certain period of time. That action, there's no defense for. This isn't one we are going to have a lot of debate on ... next year or half of next year could be in the cards. The NFL left it wide open... at a minimum, it's the rest of this year. That doesn't mean he's reinstated next year.
On top of Garrett, Francesa agreed with Pouncey's three-game suspension, especially when taking into account he kicked Garrett, right or wrong, in the head.
"He got three games because he kicked the guy in the head.... you can't kick a guy in the head. You can punch somebody. If he punched someone, he probably would've gotten a game. Kicking him in the head, you can't do that. That's dirty. Also, he was relishing these cheap shots on the quarterback and he doesn't need it. He's a great pass rusher with a body from god. We know how much talent he's got, obviously sitting on a big contract and now he's sitting on no money for the rest of the year. And he deserves it ... after the game he knew he was in trouble."