The NFL is cracking down on situations that result in unnecessary fighting and violence. During Week 1’s contest between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith made what was perceived as a late hit on quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
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After plenty of jeers from fans, Smith threw his hands up to indicate he was not intentionally doing so. However, Chiefs tight end Peyton Hendershot was close by on the sideline and shoved Smith from behind. This led to things getting chippy.
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Following the conclusion of the game, Smith called out Mahomes for flopping and also had choice words for Hendershot.
#Ravens LB Roquan Smith on #Chiefs TE Peyton Hendershot: “He better watch himself. … I’ll see him when I see him.”
Hendershot shoved Smith after he pushed Patrick Mahomes out of bounds in the 4th quarter. No penalty was called.
pic.twitter.com/zyKin5mkCr— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 6, 2024
“Whoever 88 is. I don’t know who he is. He better watch himself. … I’ll see him when I see him,” Smith said.
Smith stated that Mahomes flopped on the sideline which led to the refs not calling for a flag. The shove did look to be late, but there is no telling if what Smith said is accurate.
Based on the event that occurred and likely because Hendershot was inactive for the game and shoved Smith, the NFL has come down with a steep fine for both the organization and Hendershot.
The NFL fined the #Chiefs organization $100,000 and TE Peyton Hendershot $5,472 for a sideline shove that drew the ire of #Ravens LB Roquan Smith in last week’s kickoff game, per sources.
Hendershot plans to appeal. https://t.co/jFsJjHIAbY
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 14, 2024
According to Tom Pelissero, “The NFL fined the #Chiefs organization $100,000 and TE Peyton Hendershot $5,472 for a sideline shove that drew the ire of #Ravens LB Roquan Smith in last week’s kickoff game, per sources. Hendershot plans to appeal.”
The Chiefs organization has been fined $100,000 while Hendershot will have to pay $5,472 for involving himself in the Smith situation.
The crackdown on these instances was detailed in a memo sent to teams in early August. The memo stated:
“The league sent a memo to clubs on Aug. 7 reminding them in part: ‘The Playing Rules of the National Football League, and the 2024 Policy Manual for Member Clubs — Game Operations prohibits non-player personnel (e.g., coaches, trainers, equipment staff, security personnel) and non-participant players (e.g., inactive players, practice squad players) from making unnecessary physical contact with or taunting or directing abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures at opponents, Game Officials, or representatives of the League.'”
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The $100,000 fine appears to have been handed down by the league to the Chiefs because of the “unnecessary physical contact” that Hendershot had with Smith.
There are plenty of fines being handed out by the league due to hits and instances such as this. Head to Newsweek Sports to read all about which teams and players are being hit with fines.
