Sept. 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Marshall Thundering Herd running back A.J. Turner (5) is pursued by Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Hero Kanu (93) during the first half of an NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.

Marshall fined $100K by Sun Belt for pulling out of bowl game

Marshall’s decision to opt out of December’s Independence Bowl against Army is turning out to be a costly one.

The Sun Belt Conference issued the school a $100,000 fine for not participating in the Dec. 28 contest, which Marshall said was due to a loss of more than 25 players to the transfer portal.

The exodus was in part due to the departure of head coach Charles Huff, who took the head coaching job at Southern Miss after the Thundering Herd won the Sun Belt title with a 31-3 win over Louisiana.

In a statement released Friday, the conference expressed some understanding of Marshall’s decision but ultimately called the move “detrimental” to the Sun Belt and others affected by the decision.

“While the conference acknowledges the medical model and best practice guidance adhered to by Marshall, as well as their fundamental concern for the health and safety of the remaining eligible student-athletes to compete in a safe and viable manner,” the statement said, “the nature and timing of this decision was detrimental to the Sun Belt Conference and its membership, to Army, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, the American Athletic Conference and ESPN.”

The Independence Bowl went on with Louisiana Tech replacing Marshall based on the NCAA’s APR score. Army knocked off the Bulldogs 27-6 to complete a 12-2 season.

Marshall ended its season with a 10-3 record.

–Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) celebrates after a reception during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Texans WR Nico Collins says he was fined for tossing TD ball to kid

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins scored a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in his most recent home game and tossed the ball to a child in the stands pleading for it.

On Thursday, Collins told reporters the NFL did not approve and assessed him a fine of about $5,000.

“It’s for the kids,” Collins said. “I seen he was screaming and was thinking, ‘Here you go, big dog. Here’s the ball.’”

Collins said he was not penalized last season on the handful of occasions he threw a ball into the stands, so he wasn’t expecting a fine. But making a child’s day was “definitely worth it.”

The 25-year-old said he plans to appeal the fine, but if it isn’t overturned, he’ll pay up.

“The only thing that matters was making that kid happy,” he said. “He ain’t never going to forget that moment. So that’s all that matters to me.”

Collins followed up a 92-yard, one-touchdown performance that day against Tennessee with eight receptions for 119 yards last week at Jacksonville.

The fourth-year wideout is Houston’s leading receiver despite missing five games due to a hamstring injury. He has caught 49 passes for 832 yards and four touchdowns in just eight appearances.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels players and North Carolina State Wolfpack players fight as State tries to put a Wolfpack flag at midfield after the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

ACC fines, reprimands four schools for sportsmanship violations

North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia and Virginia Tech were fined and publicly reprimanded by the Atlantic Coast Conference on Monday following altercations at their respective rivalry games on Saturday.

The amounts of the institutional fines were not released, but the Raleigh News & Observer reported that the maximum penalty in the ACC bylaws is $25,000.

NC State defeated North Carolina 35-30 on Saturday, after which the Wolfpack were one of several teams around the country to plant a flag on the hosts’ field. North Carolina players got into a postgame fight with NC State players.

Players from Virginia and Virginia Tech got into a fight before their game, which Virginia Tech won 37-17.

“In both cases, the actions violated the ACC Sportsmanship Policy,” the league said in a statement. “The unsportsmanlike behavior that was displayed is unacceptable and tarnishes the passionate on-field play between these institutions.

“The funds from the imposed institutional fines — which are the maximum allowed by the league’s bylaws — will be placed into the Weaver-James-Corrigan-Swofford Postgraduate Scholarship account.”

Michigan and Ohio State each were levied $100,000 fines by the Big Ten Conference for a postgame fight between their teams after the Wolverines upset the Buckeyes in Columbus.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils fans celebrate on the field in the closing second of the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Arizona State fined $25K after storming snafu vs. BYU

The Big 12 Conference fined Arizona State $25,000 on Tuesday in response to fans storming the field during the final moments of Saturday’s 28-23 win over BYU.

The league also issued a public reprimand to the school for the chaotic ending in Tempe, Ariz. Fans streamed onto the field thinking the game was over and tore down a goalpost, but there was time remaining and a lengthy delay ensued to sort things out.

“The safety of student-athletes and all game participants is our foremost priority,” said Brett Yormark, the Big 12 commissioner. “We will continue to work with our institutions on event management policies at all Big 12 venues.”

After rallying from a 28-9 deficit to Arizona State (9-2, 6-2), BYU (9-2, 6-2) took possession near midfield with one second left on the clock after order was restored. A final Hail Mary pass by Jake Retzlaff fell incomplete.

–Field Level Media

Sep 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (0) during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Reports: Ravens’ Roquan Smith fined for tackle on Bucs’ Chris Godwin

The NFL is fining Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith $16,833 for the hit he delivered that left Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin with a season-ending ankle injury, multiple outlets reported Friday.

Godwin suffered a dislocated left ankle in the Ravens’ 41-31 victory over the Bucs on Monday night. Per reports, the NFL ruled Smith brought down the receiver with an illegal hip-drop tackle.

CBS Sports reported that Smith’s action was at least the ninth hip-drop tackle this season, though entering Week 8, none had been penalized.

Godwin, who is set to become a free agent in 2025, had seven receptions for 65 yards Monday prior to the injury that occurred with less than a minute to play.

He has an NFL-leading 50 catches for 576 yards — third most in the league — and five touchdowns in seven games.

The Bucs placed him on injured reserve earlier this week.

Godwin, 28, posted a message on Instagram earlier Friday, thanking fans and telling them that he will put in the hard work to return.

“It’s tough to put into words the range of emotions over the last few days. I’m disappointed that I can’t be out there with my brothers going to battle. I’m saddened that my wife and family had to endure watching another gruesome injury. And I’m frustrated that a strong start to the season was cut short,” he wrote.

“We don’t always get to know ‘why’, but that rarely matters anyway,” he continued. “Adversity reveals our true character and I look forward to the opportunity to display mine throughout this process. Just another storm, but trust that sunshine is on the other side. Be back soon! Back to Work!”

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA;  New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khristian Boyd (97) heads to the locker room after the game against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Reports: Saints rookie fined $4,600 for hit on Eagles WR DeVonta Smith

New Orleans Saints rookie defensive tackle Khristian Boyd was fined $4,600 by the NFL for his hit on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith, multiple media outlets reported.

Per the NFL, a hit on a defenseless player can draw a fine up to $16,883 for first-time offenders. The league’s collective bargaining agreement, however, details that “no first offense may result in the imposition of a baseline fine in excess of 10 percent of a player’s salary cap count for the game.” Boyd’s salary cap hit this season is $839,707, per Spotrac.

Boyd was not penalized for the blindside hit on Smith in the fourth quarter of the Saints’ 15-12 loss to the Eagles on Sunday. Smith was knocked out by the hit and did not return to the game.

Smith, who remains in concussion protocol, did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday and appears unlikely to play for Philadelphia (2-1) in its game on Sunday against the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1).

Several Eagles players took issue with the hit. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson labeled it a “cheap shot.”

Boyd defended himself in an Instagram post that was later deleted: “I would never deliberately try to give someone a serious injury. Just tried to make a play on the ball. Get well soon 6.”

Boyd, 24, has recorded one tackle in three games this season.

–Field Level Media

Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) scores a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (6) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Ravens TE Isaiah Likely talks the talk, could draw fine

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely flashed star power in the season-opening loss at Kansas City, a 27-20 setback that ended with Likely’s would-be second TD catch being waved off when the toes of his black cleat landed out of the end zone.

Likely caught nine passes for 111 yards but his 10th catch was nullified when he landed out of bounds. The NFL’s leading receiver when he woke up on Friday, Likely warned the Chiefs that their collective best is yet to come.

“This is the worst we are going to play, so if this is the best they got, good luck in the postseason,” Lively said to the Ravens’ AFC rivals.

Likely, 24, might be hearing from the NFL during the extended break before the Sept. 15 home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. When he exited the field at Arrowhead Stadium and entered the covered tunnel on Thursday night, cameras and microphones picked up Likely screaming a few choice expletives at a fan.

According to NFL Operations, fines can be levied if players fail to “conduct themselves in a way that honors the sport and respects the game, themselves, their fellow players, the fans and the league.”

Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson was fined by the team last November for shoving an Eagles’ fan during a loss at Philadelphia despite claiming he was subject to a “life-threatening” remark.

Likely was expected to play second fiddle to Mark Andrews but after playing a larger role in the latter’s absence due to injury in 2023, he led the team with 12 targets as a receiver and delivered a highlight-worthy pancake block that drew a smile from coach John Harbaugh.

“I thought it was a touchdown,” quarterback Lamar Jackson said. “I still think it’s a touchdown.”

NFL replay is automatic after touchdowns and multiple replays caught Likely landing on the white paint separating the end zone from out of bounds.

Likely said he has to “live with the call” and took responsibility for not getting his feet down.

He also caught some unsolicited footwear advice from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“(You) just have to wear white cleats next time. That’s my advice for him,” Mahomes said.

–Field Level Media

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) in the first half in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs’ Nick Bolton fined for Super Bowl horse-collar tackle

The NFL fined Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton $8,238 for his horse-collar tackle of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in Super Bowl LVIII.

The incident drew a 15-yard penalty in the second quarter of the Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime victory in Las Vegas on Feb. 11.

Bolton’s fine, confirmed on Monday, was the only one issued for an infraction committed in that game. Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed drew a personal foul for unnecessary roughness but was not fined.

Bolton, 23, tied San Francisco’s Fred Warner for the game-high with 13 tackles. Bolton added one tackle for loss and two quarterback hits against the 49ers.

A second-round pick by the Chiefs in 2021, Bolton has recorded 352 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions in 41 career regular-season games (37 starts).

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte FC owner David Tepper reacts after their win against Inter Miami CF Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers owner David Tepper fined $300K for throwing drink at fans

The NFL announced a $300,000 fine for Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper for what it called “unacceptable conduct” during the Panthers’ 26-0 loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

A video captured Tepper throwing a drink through the owner’s box window in the direction of Jaguars fans toward the end of the Panthers’ 14th loss of the season.

“All NFL personnel are expected to conduct themselves at all times in ways that respect our fans and favorably reflect on their team and the NFL,” the league said in a statement Tuesday.

Tepper issued his first comments about the incident after the fine was announced.

“I am deeply passionate about this team and regret my behavior on Sunday,” Tepper’s statement said. “I should have let NFL stadium security handle any issues that arose. I respect the NFL’s code of conduct and accept the league’s discipline for my behavior.”

Tepper, 66, purchased the Panthers from Jerry Richardson in 2018.

The Panthers (2-14) own the worst record in the league entering the final week of the regular season, but the Chicago Bears own their first-round draft pick in April after Carolina traded with Chicago to move from ninth to No. 1 last April and select quarterback Bryce Young.

Tepper fired coach Frank Reich 11 games into his first season on the job.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) holds Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Myles Garrett fined $25K for criticizing officials

The NFL fined Browns defensive end Myles Garrett $25,000 for comments he made criticizing officials, Cleveland.com reported Saturday.

Following last Sunday’s 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Garrett didn’t hold back when talking with reporters after the game.

“The officiating was a travesty today,” Garrett said. “It was honestly awful. And the fact that they’re letting them get away with hands to the face, holding, false starting — I know they called a couple, but damn, they could have called it all game. And (there was) the one that cost us down on the 2-yard line.”

The Browns were penalized eight times for 75 yards. Officials flagged the Jaguars seven times for 40 yards.

“I mean, respect to those guys, it’s a hard job, but hell, we have a hard job as well,” Garrett said of the officials. “You can’t make it harder by throwing holding and hands to the face out (of) the rulebook. And like I said, I got a lot of respect for those guys, but we get scrutinized for the plays that we don’t make. So someone has to hold them accountable for the plays or the calls they don’t make. And they need to be under the same kind of microscope as we are every single play.”

Garrett, 27, is in his seventh NFL season, all with the Browns. He twice has been named first-team All-Pro.

–Field Level Media