NFL fines Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Lavonte David for late hit on Geno Smith
By Bryan Rose
Man. Talk about a rough few days for Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David.
It all started Sunday afternoon as the Bucs were bending, though, not breaking as they attempted to hold their lead against the New York Jets.
It was going to take a minor miracle for the Jets to somehow come back and win, which David was more than happy to provide when he pushed Jets’ quarterback Geno Smith who was in the process of stepping out of bounds. By definition, it was a late hit. By the eye test, it was petty. But eye test or not, a rule is a rule and it was broken. That resulted in the Jets getting close enough for a game winning field goal, which they succeeded on, sending the Buccaneers to an opening day loss.
The goat of the game, David now has to write a near $8,000 dollar check to the NFL who fined him for the hit this afternoon.
Per NFL.com:
"NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that the Bucs linebacker has been fined $7,875 for his hit on Smith, according to a source. Rapoport was told David plans to appeal the fine."
For those that missed the late hit:
