Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was fined $25,000 by the NFL after his helmet-popping hit on Cincinnati Bengals wideout Chad Ochocinco that occurred last week at M&T Bank Stadium.
The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year annihilated Ochocinco as the receiver was coming across the middle of the field in the fourth quarter of Baltimore’s 17-14 loss.
Lewis’ shoulder and forearm hit Ochocinco so hard that the wide receiver’s helmet came off his head and landed on the turf, resulting in a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty.
Ochocinco had to be restrained by Ravens safety Haruki Nakamura to stay away from Lewis.
The play helped continue a last-gasp drive that resulted in a game-winning 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Carson Palmer to wideout Andre Caldwell.
In speaking with media on Wednesday, Lewis acknowledged that he expected a fine.
“Would I do it over? No. If I had to change anything, I would do it the same way I’ve done it,” he said. “I will never slow down my speed, the way I play this game. I’ve never played this game to hurt anybody. But the bottom line is, when I turn to go, I’m like a missile. When I’m locked in, I’m locked in. Whatever’s there, is there. I hit my player, too. Worrying about fines and all that, I’ll let that take care of itself. The NFL does a great job with that.
“You call them and discuss it with them. All of that will take care of itself.”
Ochocinco, however, appealed to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in support of not fining Lewis.
“please don’t fine Ray Lewis Mr. Roger Goodell, it was a clean hit, it’s part of the game, save the fines for me, Esteban out,” Ochocinco wrote on his Twitter account earlier this week.
According to ESPN.com, an NFL source said that Lewis will appeal his fine.
Story Source: http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/
