The NFL has fined New England Patriots defensive end Keion White $22,511 for a horse-collar tackle during Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
This marks White’s third fine of the season and his second for a horse-collar tackle, bringing his total fines this year to $42,183. In the game’s second quarter, White tackled Titans running back Tony Pollard and received an unnecessary roughness penalty for the hit.
According to NFL rules, players are prohibited from grabbing the inside collar or nameplate area of a runner’s shoulder pads or jersey to pull them down, except in the tackle box or when a quarterback is in the pocket. Such violations result in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down, followed by potential fines.
This was White’s second fine this season for a horse-collar tackle. During the Patriots’ Week 5 loss to the Miami Dolphins, he was flagged for both a horse-collar tackle and a roughing-the-passer penalty for a blow to the head/neck, resulting in two fines of $9,836 each, totaling $19,672.
Reflecting on his aggressive style in October, White said, “I’m going to still be aggressive regardless. You get penalties in football.
I don’t really stress it.” Known for his hard-hitting play, White added, “That’s just the mentality of my style of play… people criticize when aggressiveness leads to penalties, but they like it when it leads to big plays. You have to take the bad with the good.”
White has certainly stayed true to his words.
