Panthers Sherrod Martin hit with Fine
The NFL’s crackdown on dangerous hits continues and in their sights are the usual suspects, Sherrod Martin being among them. The Carolina Panthers’ safety has been fined $40,000 for a helmet to helmet hit. Martin confirmed on Wednesday that he had been fined
by the league for a hit on Cleveland’s tight end Evan Moore, this Sunday. The Panthers lost that game 23-24.
Martin had already been singled out by the league for dangerous hits. The league had sent a video to all teams outlining in an effort to crackdown on hits to the head. The video explained what constitutes an illegal hit and Martin was featured on that video.
The severity of the fine is a result of the fact that Martin is a repeat offender.
In the first week of the regular season Martin had been fined $5,000 for laying down a hit on New York Giants’ tight end Kevin Boss. The tight end suffered a concussion as a result of the hit and that play was the first video of a set that the league sent
to teams as an example. The league later announced stricter penalties for helmet to helmet hits which included increasing amounts in fines for repeat offenders and suspensions.
Martin has been penalized four times in the past two years for unnecessary roughness and second time in this season. Unlike NFL’s poster child for illegal hits and fines, Pittsburgh Steelers’ James Harrison, Martin is less experienced and has a much lower
salary. In view of his $395,000 salary, the $40,000 fine amounts to almost two whole game checks. Players like Martin cannot simply ignore the financial toll such fines take on them.
Martin was not available for comment. His teammates have expressed disappointment at the size of the fine. “The man hands them down and we’ve got to pay them,” said Carolina Panthers’ defensive back, Richard Marshall. All Coach John Fox could do was shake
his head is dismay when he was made aware of the fine on Martin. His teammates believed that Martin did not intentionally lead with his helmet and that he had little choice then to hit Moore high.
“When you start tackling lower they're going to come up with a rule like that,” cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said. “I'm really kind of lost in this situation.” Carolina defenders vowed resistance and have said that they would not change how they play the
game despite the league’s crackdown. Munnerlyn said that if a defensive player concerns himself with fines then he would not be able to concentrate on the game. “You are going to slow up on some tackles,” Munnerlyn said. “That means you've got to keep playing
hard and if the fines come they're going to come.”
The cornerback said that Martin would appeal the fine and hoped the league would consider his appeal and show a little mercy in his case. The Panthers have shown their support for Martin and they have been considering setting up a fund to help Martin to
pay the fine.
This is the fourth fine the NFL has levied this week. Earlier this Cortland Finnegan and Andre Johnson had each been fined $25,000 for an on-file altercation. James Harrison was also fined fourth time for hit on quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
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