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During Week 3 of the NFL season, Falcons fullback Keith Smith received a $87,418 fine for what appeared to be a routine block on a kickoff against the Lions.
Smith appealed that fine since it seemed egregious from the moment it was handed out.
Fortunately for Smith, the NFL rescinded his fine. Of course, that’s great news for his wallet.
Smith spoke to ESPN about the block he was fined for and discussed how it’s sometimes impossible to avoid making contact with his helmet.
“It’s just like, a lot of the hits, especially at my position, not only just on kick return, but at fullback, because I’ve been fined multiple times for use of helmet,” Smith told ESPN. “Just carrying out routine blocks.
“But they are just very subjective in that rule, use of helmet, is sometimes impossible because you can’t always control how a defender takes you on. So you can only use the technique that you’re taught continuously and sometimes that goes against the rule when you slow it down in slow motion.”
Earlier this year, Falcons FB Keith Smith was fined $87,000 for illegal use of his helmet. On appeal, the fine was overturned in its entirety, and no violation was found. https://t.co/Jw8lu2eQgU
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 8, 2023
Smith said he learned how to alter his blocking technique because of his appeals process.
We’ll see Smith in action this Sunday when the Falcons face the Cardinals.