NFL fines Ray Lewis $25,000 for hit on Ochocinco
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10/16/2009 02:30 PM ET By DAVID GINSBURG (AP)
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -The NFL fined Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis $25,000 on Friday for two separate plays, including a helmet-to-helmet hit on Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco.
The Ravens said Lewis will appeal the fine.
Both plays occurred in the fourth quarter of Baltimore's 17-14 loss on Sunday. The league deemed that Lewis "unnecessarily kicked the opponent" and later "unnecessarily struck a defenseless receiver."
During the latter play, Lewis hit Ochocinco after a pass from Carson Palmer sailed incomplete, and the 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness helped set up the winning touchdown with 22 seconds remaining.
Ochocinco lost his helmet during the collision, but immediately popped up from the turf. After the game, the boisterous receiver used his Twitter account to ask NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for leniency.
"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," Ochocinco wrote.
Asked Wednesday if he expected to be fined, Lewis replied, "Probably."
But the standout middle linebacker said that's just how he plays the game.
"If I had to change anything, I would do it the same way I've done it," Lewis 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. 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."
On Friday, Lewis said, "I'm not talking about no fine."
Coach John Harbaugh said, "I'm disappointed. You hate to see that."
Asked about the play in which Lewis allegedly kicked a player, Harbaugh said, "It was an inadvertent trip that happened."
Harbaugh added: "Ray Lewis is a tough, a physical guy. Ray Lewis is also as a great a sportsman as I've met. He plays good, clean football. I guarantee you the shot on Ochocinco was in the strike zone. I want to stand behind Ray in that sense."
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Comments (Page 1 of 2)
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Classic Ocho
Anagaho, what a plain stupid remark. Helmet to Helmet can kill somebody, oh year that is what Lewis is anyways, a killer. You talk about the best QB out there in Brady (3 time Super Bowl Winner). You do not have a clue in life. Curious what is your team?
Ray Lewis is a criminal and pure THUG. It would be best if somebody took a .45 and blew what little brains he has in that thick skull to pieces! He is absolute CRAP!
No doubt about it. The hit on Chad Johnson was ILLEGAL! Helmet to helmet contact like that can break a guy's neck and paralyze him for life. I think the fine is appropriate and Lewis should be suspended 1 game. Lewis plays a very tough, aggressive brand of football, and is highly respected for it. However, rules are rules, and he's not above them.
at least ray lewis did not murder anyone---oh never mind
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as much as i hate ray lewis, i hate chad JOHNSON that much more. and chad your last name IS JOHNSON. i hope the bungals enjoy their 4-1 record 'cause i doubt you'll win 4 the rest of the year.
RAY LEWIS IS OUT TO MAIM ANYONE HE CAN. HE COULD CARE LESS IF THEY LIVE OR DIE. YES HE TRULY IS ONE OF THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT IN THE NFL. HE WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN FOR MURDER THE LAST TIME BUT HE WAS A BIG NAME STAR.MAYBE IF HE KEEPS HIS DIRTY PLAY UP HE WILL BE UP FOR MURDER AGAIN SOMEDAY.I JUST HOPE THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN AND PERHAPS SOMEBODY AS DIRTY AS HE IS WILL GET A SHOT IN ON MR LEWIS. A FINE IS OF LITTLE SIGNIFICANCE TO THESE GUYS MAKING MILLIONS A YEAR A SUSPENSION OF AT LEAST 2 OR 3 GAMES WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE APPROPRIATE.
I agree 110% with you. That was ONE DIRTY HIT. Lewis is a punk. He **************** dirty.Watched him do so too many times. Telling it like it is.
Tell Goodell to strap on the pads and live through one season - then maybe he will understand what the game is all about. Way too much officiating, reviews and and throwing flags for what used to be called a good solid hit. there was a time when players actually respected each other for a good hard fought game but not any more. The game is getting more boring by the year because of all the panty-waste rules.
Football has become a sissys game, i say lets get rid of everyone playing and bring in replacements of gays and play "two hand touch," i am sure Tom CRY Brady would love it, these guys are being paid millions to play, they know the game and the risks, let them play, in todays game , you can be penalized for going on the field!!!!! Sorry, sorry, sorry!1
They should be paying linebackers $ 25K to make Ochocinco part of the turf.
oops the spelling cops are gunna get me for my haste ASSASSINS and BEFORE
Harbaugh is disappointed because it was a clean hit.. What a joke. It would have taken him 30 seconds for his feet to touch the ground again had Lewis been playing for another team, and hit his WR like he did. Lewis knew it was an illegal hit befor he delivered it.. Then again most assins know what they are doing is wrong befor they do so......... Chad. ,,,, Chad if you are reading any of this, the next time you decide to donate money to a charity matching a fine you think you may get. Challenge the commish to match your funds with the exact same amount out of his pocket..
Harbaugh is disappointed because it was a clean hit.. What a joke. It would have taken him 30 seconds for his feet to touch the ground again had Lewis been playing for another team, and hit his WR like he did. Lewis knew it was an illegal hit befor he delivered it.. Then again most assins know what they are doing is wrong befor they do so......... Chad. ,,,, Chad if you are reading any of this, the next time you decide to donate money to a charity matching a fine you think you may get. Challenge the commish to match your funds with the exact same amount out of his pocket..
Did Ray knock Chads gold tooth out ?
cant help but think this has more to do with his critcal comments about the officials, than it does with the helmet to helmet hit. lewis called out the nfl's protection of tom brady, now he will be fined for anything. the nfl has gone to hell in a handbasket
Another example of the decent people playing this violent game. Guess Rush would have made these thugs look bad. What a joke.
Ray Lewis is a criminal for starters & should not be in the league.......second he is and always has been a thug & non positive image for the NFL.
Ochocinko talks trash but does not deserve a cheap shot injury that could put him in a wheel chair or nursing home for life.
$25k fine by Roger Godelll is a joke.........thats dairy queen money at RL's income level...............suspend him for many games & take his pay during
Special K