ExtremeRavens Posted November 12 Posted November 12 The NFL has rescinded the fine levied against Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith for his tackle on Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin last month. A $16,833 fine was levied against Smith for the hit that ended Godwin’s season, but he appealed the matter and NFL hearing officer Jordy Nelson ruled in his favor, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. ESPN was first to report the news. The play in question took place with just over a minute remaining in Baltimore’s eventual 41-31 win over Tampa Bay. Quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with Godwin on a 21-yard pass, but the receiver went down awkwardly and did not get up after Smith brought him to the ground. Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle and is expected to be out for at least the remainder of the regular season. Though Smith wasn’t penalized on the play, he was initially deemed to have made an illegal hip-drop tackle. League rules state that a hip-drop tackle must meet three criteria: the tackler grabbing or wrapping the ball carrier with both hands or arms; the defender unweighting by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body; and the tackler landing on and trapping the opponent’s leg(s) at or below the knee. But it was deemed that Smith did not meet those standards. “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,” Smith said three days after the Oct. 21 game. “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.” It marked the second time this season that Smith has won an appeal after he was initially fined $16,833 for a horse-collar tackle in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
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