As expected, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Sean Davis has been fined $24,309 by the NFL for his fourth quarter hit on Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley during Sunday’s Divisional Round playoff game.
While Conley was attempting to dive to catch a pass from Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith near the Steelers goal-line, Davis hit the wide receiver in his head and neck area with his lowered right shoulder. The hit forced an incompleted pass and Conley remained down on the ground injured for several minutes.
“We work extremely hard to play within the rules because that increases our chances of winning,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday of Davis’ hit. “We work hard at lowering our target. We understand that it’s strict liability on the defender, but we also understand that due to circumstances sometimes that’s just tough. We all have tough aspects of our job and I think that Sean understands that element of safety play in today’s NFL. And I think all of those things happen in a discussion in a quick fashion in stadium, in game”
Davis was flagged for Unnecessary Roughness on the play and the Chiefs ultimately scored a touchdown five plays later. The Steelers rookie safety was able to quickly put that penalty behind him, however, as he broke up the ensuing game-tying two-point pass attempt in the end zone.
Davis will reportedly appeal his latest fine and even if it isn’t overturned, he won’t be required to pay the full amount being as it exceeds 25% of his weekly pay.
The Steelers drafted Davis in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Maryland and after an impressive first season he was voted the Steelers Rookie of the Year by the Pittsburgh media.
