Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison, last year's NFL Defensive Player of the Year, threw a costly punch during last week's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Harrison told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he was fined $5,000 by the league office for punching Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth.

Harrison was shoved by Whitworth first.

When he retaliated, he drew a 15-yard flag for the infraction.

Follow me on Twitter: RavensInsider