NFL Fines Ray Lewis $25,000, Goodell Ignores Ochocinco's Request

The National Football League has fined Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis $25,000 for a hit on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco on Sunday, ignoring Ochocinco's request that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spare Lewis a fine.

The hit happened when Ochocinco was running a pattern over the middle, and it sent Ochocinco's helmet flying and drew a 15-yard penalty, helping the Bengals get into position for their game-winning touchdown in a 17-14 victory. After the game, Ochocinco posted a direct request to Goodell on Twitter, saying there was no harm done and he didn't want to see Lewis lose money.

Goodell, however, didn't listen: ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported on Friday that Lewis's next paycheck will be $25,000 lighter. The Baltimore Sun notes that the fine represents 42.5 percent of Lewis' $58,823 weekly salary.

And while Ochocinco might not like it, this was obviously the right call: Lewis clearly led with his helmet and drilled a defenseless receiver in the chops. That's a textbook personal foul, and it's a play that gets players fined every week.

UPDATE: Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Lewis was fined for two acts: The hit on Ochocinco and kicking an opponent.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)

10-16-2009 @ 2:18PM

Ryan said...

OHHH. Look at this Ray Lewis kicked a player. Will anyone say anything about this..no..it was hardly even in the article. for some stupid reason Ray Lewis is untouchable and no one will consider him a dirty player even though thats what the whole ravens team is...dirty. Proof...the play in the playoffs last year when they tackled Chris Brown and kept bending him after the whistle and knocked him out of the game.

10-17-2009 @ 12:15AM

Paige said...

no it was one well deserved hit... chad didnt even want him to get fined their just playing football the ravens are a great team and im sorry you cant see that your probably just another stupid steelers fan

10-17-2009 @ 3:10AM

mendibles said...

I totally agree with Ryan. Ray Lewis crosses the line of clean hitting into dirty play. He is full of ego too. He was celebrating after making a good tackle like it ended a drive to win the game. He did this with about 5 minutes left in the game. The Bengals went on to win. I loved seeing him with his loser pouting on the sidelines. Serves him right for celebrating himself. It's not all about you Ray. Celebrate the victory, not your little battles in the fray. Go Goodell!

10-16-2009 @ 2:57PM

pepsizep said...

maybe the comments should lean more towards the fine being 42.5% of his weekly pay. must be nice to make that much in a week to PLAY football

10-16-2009 @ 3:02PM

frgba said...

Looked like a clean, albeit really hard hit to me and I am not a fan of Ray Lewis or the Ravens

10-16-2009 @ 10:02PM

archer6831 said...

It wasnt a clean hit. It was helmet to helmet contact. Can someone please tell me why he is even playing in the NFL ? He always has been and always will be TROUBLE !!!!!!

10-16-2009 @ 11:58PM

rafael said...

Looked just what it was.Clean

10-16-2009 @ 3:05PM

k2finance said...

Helmet to helmet - clearly illegal and cheap. Have to use your shoulder pads on something like that. I guess the thing that surprises me is that Lewis and Ocho are good friends...

10-16-2009 @ 11:49PM

Jon Stidham said...

Seems that you never played football before when you are going for an stop you drive through th player and chad was in the air stuff happens.

10-16-2009 @ 3:08PM

poorboy said...

So who gets all this money they are fined? Does the person who took the hit get anything out of it? Should be up to him right?

10-17-2009 @ 3:06PM

yoyopool said...

yea! someone please let me know about the money.....
who gets the MONEY?

10-16-2009 @ 3:16PM

Big John! said...

One criminal hits another criminal. OK with me.

10-16-2009 @ 6:33PM

brandon said...

So since when did Chad "OchoCinco" Johnson become a criminal??? What did he do, besides bein black??? You sir are obviously a moron, and you should really consider doing a little bit of research before you decide to defimate someone's character. Or was that word too complicated for you???

10-16-2009 @ 7:49PM

CoolRep said...

chad has never done anything criminal, don't lump all Bengals into that, lot of good ones on the team. Chad doesnt even drink!!!!!!!

10-17-2009 @ 12:06AM

billsfan1946 said...

You are a complete idiot! I am white and the ONLY reason you call both criminals is because they are black. Because obviously you know nothing about Chad Ochocinco. He has NEVER been in trouble with the law which is the only way he would be a criminal. Get your facts straight before you go running your mouth about something you know nothing about F*** H***!

10-17-2009 @ 3:42PM

James said...

Acutally this comment is for Brandon #18. reply. Although I clearly understand your comment and the direction you were going with it...I have to point out that "defimate" isn't a word. I believe the word you were looking for was...defamation... of someone's character or defaming someone's character...but it still was a great comment because Chad hasn't done anything negative that I heard of...

10-17-2009 @ 3:45PM

10-16-2009 @ 3:28PM

chilco said...

RAY LEWIS THE 'ALLEGED" MURDERER. THE NFL SUPPORTS RAY AND AL SHARPTON.

10-16-2009 @ 3:40PM

jchat said...

It's really funny how some people get hung up on how much money the players make and don't seem to have the nerve to take it one step further: namely why would ANYBODY pay these players that kind of money and futhermore if SOMEONE can afford to pay this type of money how much MONEY are they making? But you'll hardly ever see that discussion. Just get angry at the players and attack them and say nothing about the owners. That's the American way.
On the HIT. This type of violence happens all the time in Ice Hockey. No problem. It isn't even reported. No big deal. People get hurt. So What? But no problem there. It's all right. Anybody see a double standard?