The play that outraged fans last Saturday in the Minnesota Vikings preseason game is apparently going to cost linebacker Antwione Williams some money.
Williams was flagged for “landing his body weight on the quarterback” in the fourth quarter of Minnesota’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, an area of emphasis this season partly in response to Anthony Barr’s injury-inducing sack of Aaron Rodgers last season.
The third-year pro announced the fine on Twitter.
Really got fined today for this ???????? smh https://t.co/bfoXzCtsLI
— Antwione Williams (@twanyouafool) August 23, 2018
It’s been a tough couple weeks for Williams. It was revealed on Aug. 16 that he was arrested for an DWI in May and may be subject to league discipline. Now his pocketbook may be a little lighter after his sack of Cody Kessler. NFL Operations lists the minimum fine for roughing the passer at $20,054.
NFL referee Pete Morelli attempted to explain the rule to Twin Cities reporters in early August. “You’ll see more tackles where players will have to kind of roll to the side when they make that tackle instead of plopping down on [the quarterback],” Morelli said.
To clarify, Williams did not violate the new lowering-the-helmet rule on the play in question, but instead was perceived to have fallen too hard on Kessler.
Head coach Mike Zimmer was seen arguing the play on the field but later softened his stance.
“He had his head to the side, everything was good, and then he kind of puffed him up a little bit at the end,” Zimmer said Monday. “So if he would have just done the same thing and rolled to his left, he would have been fine.”
Williams is currently competing for a roster spot with a gaggle of other linebackers. Overthecap.com estimates he received $62,500 in signing bonus money this season, so a $20K fine stings, especially for a play under such scrutiny.
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