Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has been fined $21,000 for his hit on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich in the preseason game between the teams on Aug. 9.
Rodgers-Cromartie thought his hit (see below) on Leftwich was a clean one, but the NFL deemed the play which was flagged for unnecessary roughness, worthy of the league's minimum fine. The total amount itself is a five percent increase over the 2011 total due to terms found in the newest Collective Bargaining Agreement.
As you can see in the footage, Rodgers-Cromartie leaves his feet and hits Leftwich high on the play as the quarterback is releasing the ball.
Although the Eagles won the game, 24-23, Rodgers-Cromartie was penalized on the play and the 15-yard flag kept the drive alive. The Steelers eventually scored a touchdown on the drive to put them up 10-0 in the second quarter.
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