Safety Brandon Meriweather wasn’t the only Bears defensive back fined after last week’s game against the Panthers.
Cornerback Charles Tillman received a $7,500 fine for grabbing the facemask of Carolina receiver Brandon LaFell the league said Sunday. Tillman was penalized 15 yards on the play, and the Panthers converted a 38-yard field goal during the third-quarter drive.
Tillman could appeal the fine. The facemask appeared to be inadvertent.
Meriweather was fined $20,000 following a helmet-to-helmet hit on receiver Steve Smith the play after Tillman’s facemask penalty. Meriweather, a repeat offender, said he plans to appeal the fine. Last season with the Patriots, the safety had a $50,000 fine for multiple hits against the Ravens reduced to $40,000 following an appeal.
Rookie safety Winston Venable is in the process of appealing a $20,000 fine for a helmet-to-helmet hit during the Bears’ exhibition finale versus the Browns.
This is becoming pathetic. An incidental face mask is now receiving a fine. How is that possible?