Atlanta, GA

The NFL has slapped a $30,000 fine on Atlanta Falcons safety Chris Hope for his helmet-to-helmet hit on New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz in the third quarter of their 34-0 victory Sunday.

"I'm not a dirty player. It was just a part of the game. I got caught in a situation where I just made a play on the ball. It was a hit that I didn't think was head to head, but it's probably going to be a fine," Hope told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution to explain his hard hit on Cruz

The league automatically reviews any hit around the head to prevent concussion and other serious injuries.

Hope was not the only one fined by the league for rough and unnecessary hits.

Falcons wide receiver Roddy White and Giants cornerback Corey Webster were fined $7,875 apiece for unnecessary roughness after their minor skirmish in the matchup.

The league also fined Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin $15,750 for a late hit against the Denver Broncos. Boldin's teammate, cornerback Cary Williams, also drew a $15,750 for a similar offense.

Tennessee Titans safety Jordan Babineaux was docked $7,875 for unnecessary roughness after he grabbed an opponent's facemask against the New York Jets.

Jets defensive end Quinton Coples was fined $15,750 for unnecessary roughness after he struck Titans quarterback Jake Locker with a helmet-to-helmet hit.

The NFL fined Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith $15,750 for unnecessary roughness after he rocked rookie quarterback Andrew Luck with a helmet-to-helmet hit.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware was docked $15,750 for roughing the passer on a hit against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Meanwhile, Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall was hit with a $5,250 fine for throwing the football into the stands, endangering fans.

 

 

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