Kansas City Chiefs starting running back Isiah Pacheco received a $45,020 fine on Saturday from the NFL for "unnecessary roughness" with use of the helmet in last Sunday's 19-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
The play, which took place in the shadow of Kansas City's own goal posts with 6:20 to play in the second quarter, was rather innocuous in nature, and looked like a normal football play. No penalty was called in game, but the NFL thought the play warranted a fine for Pacheco.
I can say with certainty that there have been more dangerous hits in a game than this one.
The NFL fined #Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco $45,020 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet) on this play last week. No flag was thrown. pic.twitter.com/mJrBBpuDig
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 14, 2024
If you don't believe that Pacheco did much of anything wrong on this play outside of trying to break a tackle, you're not in the minority. NFL fans eviscerated the decision by the league to fine Pacheco on social media. Here are some of the best reactions to the league's call.
45k for playing football?
— Isaiah Butler (@iButs_21) December 14, 2024
45k for that?????
— HeatFly 🔥🦅 (@Heatflyy) December 14, 2024
Doesn't make sense does it?
— DavidBachman (@d_bachman21) December 14, 2024
That's ridiculous
— Grayson (@TruthGrayson) December 14, 2024
lol give me a break
— Retail Investor Guy (@RetailInvestGuy) December 14, 2024
Those in the NFL media realm felt similarly, including former Chiefs QB Chase Daniel, who called the fine "ridiculous."
$45,000 for this? Ridiculous https://t.co/DRPahdED02
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) December 14, 2024
The league takes significant amounts of money out of players pockets just because they can. https://t.co/Iv0uOz6PwP
— Carrington Harrison (@cdotharrison) December 14, 2024
$45,000?!?!? https://t.co/j9DV9634Ak pic.twitter.com/4bUhR9oQHv
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 14, 2024
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as NFL World Stunned by Isiah Pacheco's Huge Fine for Innocuous Play During Chiefs-Chargers.
