Carolina Panthers DE Frank Alexander fined $15K for punch against Seattle Seahawks
By Sydney Hunte
Carolina Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander was tossed from Sunday’s season opening loss for throwing a punch. Now, his wallet will be a little lighter.
The second year player out of Oklahoma said on Wednesday that he was hit with a $15,000 fine by the NFL, according to The Charlotte Observer‘s Joseph Person.
The moment in question came in the first half against the Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium, when, after a play, Alexander first pushed OT Breno Giacomini in the face, then threw a swing. He was ejected from the game immediately afterwards. The Seahawks ended up winning the game, 12-7.
“Before I realized it, I had thrown the punch,” Alexander was quoted by Person as saying. “I didn’t mean to do it, but it was heat of the moment.”
It’s not the only disciplinary action that the league has had to deal with this week. Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was slapped with a $100,000 fine for his dirty hit on Minnesota Vikings center John Sullivan, the largest fine for an on-field infraction in league history.
Like Suh, Alexander plans to appeal the fine and get it decreased, if not eliminated completely. The Panthers will travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills this Sunday.