The NFL fined Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell for a hit on Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and the five-figure fine is being criticized.
The league fined the rookie linebacker $14,871 on November 4 for a roughing the passer penalty on a fourth-quarter hit when he went low on Garoppolo. Campbell was tripped as he rushed the quarterback, sending him to the turf where he made contact with Garoppolo just below the knee, according to the replay.
The fine sparked outrage online, with some claiming that Campbell could not have avoided the low fine.
“He was tripped by an offensive lineman… When most people trip, they fall… “How is this even a penalty or a fine?” wrote another fan. “I understand that the officials missed the trip and called the penalty, but a fine?” crazy”
According to SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit reporter Jeremy Reisman, while Campbell did not intentionally hit Garoppolo low, which could have negated the flag and fine.
“FWIW, Jack Campbell clearly trips over the left guard’s foot before his roughing the passer penalty,” wrote Reisman on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I’m not sure if that matters based on the rules.” ‘If the defender is blocked (or fouled) into the passer and has no opportunity to avoid him, it is not a foul.’
Head coach Dan Campbell praised the Lions’ performance in their October 30 win over the Raiders, saying they did well stopping the Raiders both in the air and on the ground.
“Outstanding, from top to bottom, those guys really came through,” Campbell said, according to SI.com. “That was one of the things we discussed, transitioning from play pass to rush and then working the games on third down, and those guys all go hand in hand.”
The Lions limited the Raiders’ offense to 157 yards, with Garoppolo going 10-for-21 for 126 yards and one interception. The Lions’ aggressive defense also sacked Garoppolo six times in the second half.
The Lions improved to 6-2, taking a two-game lead in the NFC North over the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions came into the season as favorites to win the division for the first time since 1993, and they have lived up to those expectations thus far, thanks in large part to an aggressive defense.
The Lions have a bye week before continuing their winning ways on November 12. According to heavy projections powered by Quarter4, the Lions have a 59% chance of beating the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10.
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