NFL Fines Falcons Robinson $40K

How much does a second headfirst hit cost you?

Apparently $40,000 it seems.

The NFL announced Monday that they fined Atlanta’s Dunta Robinson $40,000 for his headfirst third-quarter hit on Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin Sunday night.

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks cited the defenseless receiver rule and Robinson’s previous offense -- a jarring hit that knocked out Eagles WR DeSean Jackson last season as reasons for the hefty hit to the wallet.

Per the NFL:

On the play, Robinson lowered his head and made forcible contact to the head and neck area of Philadelphia wide receiver JEREMY MACLIN.  Although Maclin completed the catch, he was still a defenseless player under the rule because he did not have time to protect himself and had not clearly become a runner.

Robinson is a repeat offender of player safety rules.  He was fined $25,000 for a 2010 violation of player safety rules (Unnecessary Roughness, Week 6, Oct. 17, 2010). The minimum amount in the 2011 Fine Schedule for a second violation of the rules on hits against defenseless players is $40,000.  The fine schedule is distributed to all NFL players in training camp.

Hanks reportedly also sent Robinson a letter stating that “future offenses will result in an escalation of fines up to and including suspension.”

Robinson could appeal the punishment but considering he is a repeat offender who committed his hit on national TV, his chances to get his fine reduced could be slim.

Luckily Maclin came back into the game and actually wound up setting career highs in catches (13) and yards (171) in the Eagles' 35-31 loss.

"He's two for two now," Maclin said. "Fortunately, it wasn't as bad as Jack's was last year."

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