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Head-to-head shot costs him $5,000
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 31, 2006
Green Bay - Rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk's welcome-to-the-NFL moment didn't come on a tackle he made or a pass he deflected this summer for the
It came with a notice from the league that he had been fined $5,000 for "impermissible use of the helmet" during the Atlanta game Aug. 19.
When asked about the play recently, Hawk said he had not yet received a letter from the National Football League but had been told by teammates he should probably expect one. Players were not made available to reporters Thursday but a league spokesman confirmed that Hawk had been fined.
Hawk collided head-to-head with Falcons quarterback D.J. Shockley as he came up the middle on a blitz. Though his intent might not have been to hit Shockley with his helmet, he appeared to leap as he attempted to sack the quarterback.
The officials flagged Hawk for a 15-yard personal foul penalty on the play.
The rules are clear about such collisions. According to the rule book, "No defensive player may hit the quarterback in the head, face or neck."
Helmet-to-helmet hits almost always draw a fine from the league office. Film of every game is reviewed and the NFL's director of football operations, Gene Washington, decides whether a player should be fined.
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 31, 2006
Green Bay - Rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk's welcome-to-the-NFL moment didn't come on a tackle he made or a pass he deflected this summer for the
It came with a notice from the league that he had been fined $5,000 for "impermissible use of the helmet" during the Atlanta game Aug. 19.
When asked about the play recently, Hawk said he had not yet received a letter from the National Football League but had been told by teammates he should probably expect one. Players were not made available to reporters Thursday but a league spokesman confirmed that Hawk had been fined.
Hawk collided head-to-head with Falcons quarterback D.J. Shockley as he came up the middle on a blitz. Though his intent might not have been to hit Shockley with his helmet, he appeared to leap as he attempted to sack the quarterback.
The officials flagged Hawk for a 15-yard personal foul penalty on the play.
The rules are clear about such collisions. According to the rule book, "No defensive player may hit the quarterback in the head, face or neck."
Helmet-to-helmet hits almost always draw a fine from the league office. Film of every game is reviewed and the NFL's director of football operations, Gene Washington, decides whether a player should be fined.
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