Fitzgerald Cecilio

Despite claims by Dashon Goldson that he's not a dirty player, the NFL indicated otherwise, hitting the San Francisco 49ers safety with a $21,000 fine for his hard blow to New England Patriots' Aaron Hernandez.

In a two-page letter, the league informed Goldson that he was decked with the hefty fine as repeat offender.

"That caught me by surprise," said Goldson, who will now be facing suspension in his next violation.

"With what they're trying to accomplish, this will raise a flag every time you go for a shot," he added.

Goldson, who is making $6.2 million this season, has been fined $70,000 for a variety of violations in his career.

This season, he has been docked $7,875 for taunting Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch and for tackling St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford while he slid in a Dec. 2 game.

Last year, he drew a $25,000 fine last season after getting ejected for fighting Arizona Cardinals receiver Early Doucet.

Goldson said he will appeal his latest fine for a hit he thought was clean on Hernandez, which drew an unnecessary-roughness penalty during the third quarter of Sunday's 41-34 win at New England.

On that play, Hernandez bobbled a short pass after getting hit by Goldson that led to an interception by Aldon Smith.

"Hits like that definitely give wide receivers the short hands," Goldson added.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio claimed the hit on Hernandez wasn't an intentional helmet-to-helmet shot but rather a clean strike to Hernandez's upper chest.

"If it looks bad, the league has told the officials to err on the side of caution," said Fangio.

NFL Fines Niners Safety Dashon Goldson $21K for Illegal Hit - NFL 2012