Steelers-Bengals game produces $118,649 in fines
NEW YORK (AP) The NFL fined five players from the Steelers-Bengals game last weekend a total of $118,649. Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict was fined $69,454 for three separate infractions.
However, the league levied no fines over the pregame skirmish at midfield that began when Burfict and Pittsburgh linebacker Vince Williams got into it, butting their helmeted heads at one point. Pittsburgh's James Harrison also got into it with Burfict. Also involved in the shouting match part were the Bengals' Carlos Dunlap and the Steelers' Ryan Shazier, Lawrence Timmons and Stephon Tuitt.
Several players were fined for what happened during the game, which Pittsburgh won 33-20.
Burfict was fined for roughing the passer, a facemask and unnecessary roughness.
The Steelers were upset with Burfict for his actions in the Bengals' victory in Pittsburgh on Nov. 1. In that game, Pittsburgh running back Le'Veon Bell suffered a season-ending knee injury on a tackle by Burfict, and some of the Steelers took exception to the way the demonstrative Burfict strutted after his hard hit.
Pittsburgh cornerbacks William Gay and Brandon Boykin were each fined $8,681 for unsportsmanlike conduct over their group demonstration following Gay's interception return for a touchdown.
Steelers safety Mike Mitchell was fined $23,152 for a hit on a defenseless player and wide receiver Antonio Brown was fined $8,681 for an illegal crack-back block.
The league declined comment on whether Detroit tight end Eric Ebron was fined for criticizing officials after the Lions-Rams game.
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