Chicago Bears safety Brandon Meriweather was fined $20,000 by the NFL for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith in last Sunday’s game.

No penalty was called on the play, but Meriweather arrived for the play over the middle and aimed high with Smith. His shot didn’t knock the receiver over, adding insult to the financial penalty. Still, Meriweather called it a “good” hit even though it didn’t result in a tackle.

Meriweather is a repeat offender. He was fined $50,000 by the NFL last season for two hits on Baltimore Ravens tight end Todd Heap. On appeal, that total was reduced to $40,000. Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune asked Meriweather if he’s going to change his game a little knowing more head shots might lead to a suspension.

“That's a hard question to answer,'' he said. "If I hold back then it's 'He's playing soft.' But if I say no, I'm not holding back, then it's like `He's defying the rules.'"

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune