The NFL is rescinding the fine it levied against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith for a hit on Tampa Bay Buccaneers wider receiver Chris Godwin in Week 7 that the league originally determined was an illegal hip-drop tackle, a source briefed on the decision confirmed Tuesday. ESPN first reported the news.
Smith was slated to pay a $16,833 fine for the hit which ended Godwin’s season, but Smith appealed that penalty and NFL hearing officer Jordy Nelson ruled in his favor.
The hit occurred with 1:20 remaining in the game. The Buccaneers were facing a third-and-17 at their own 18 while trailing by 10 points. Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with Godwin for a 21-yard reception, but the wideout could not get up after Smith hit him to end the play.
At the time, the NFL had fined nine other players for hip-drop tackles this season, according to Spotrac.com. None of those players were flagged for unnecessary roughness, which carries a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down, during their games.
Since then, three other players have been fined.
Per the NFL, a hip-drop tackle occurs when a defender wraps up a ball carrier and rotates or swivels his hips, unweighting himself and dropping onto the ball carrier’s legs during the tackle. Tackling another player this way causes lower extremity injuries at a rate 20 times higher than other tackles, resulting in an unacceptable risk to player health and safety.
In Week 8, Smith said he had no intention of injuring Godwin.
“First and foremost, I just send prayers and a speedy recovery out to Chris. I have a lot of respect for him as a player, what he’s accomplished throughout this league and the little I’ve seen from him, he seems like a good dude, from what I’ve heard, [and] a good family man.” Smith said. “You never want to see anybody go down with any type of injury, but we play a very physical game, and it demands a lot.”
“Bullets are flying pretty fast, but I never go into any game to injure any player. I want every player to go back home safe and sound to their family — maybe a little sore — but other than that, I definitely want you to get back home to your family all safe and sound.”
Smith was previously fined $16,833 for a horse-collar tackle during a Week 1 game in Kansas City, but that fine was later revoked.
(Photo: Michael Owens / Getty Images)
