Why was Denzel Perryman hit with a $66,666 fine? Explaining reason behind Chargers LB's penalty
Denzel Perryman, the Los Angeles Chargers linebacker, has been given the biggest monetary penalty of the 2024 season so far.
On Saturday, the NFL announced that the one-time Pro Bowler was being fined $66,666 for the helmet-to-helmet hit to Kareem Hunt during last week's 10-17 loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
He is not the only Chargers linebacker to get a fine, however. Star pass rusher Khalil Mack also drew a $22,511 penalty for making helmet-to-helmet contact with Chiefs center Creed Humphrey during a pass rush:
Star safety Derwin James had been absent in that game after being suspended for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth.
Other players who were fined for helmet-to-helmet hits were Houston Texans wide receiver (and Perryman's former teammate) Nico Collins and Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet.
Multiple players, including Dallas Cowboys star wideout CeeDee Lamb, also received fines for unsavory antics, mostly mimicking shooting guns after making a play.
Denzel Perryman's last helmet-to-helmet hit offense and penalty before Saturday, explained
As it turns out, this is not Denzel Perryman's first time being involved in such a controversy. By the time of Week 10 last season, he already had six infractions in his career, the latest being in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts when he drew $66,666 for hitting backup running back Zack Moss in a 20-31 loss.
In the ensuing 30-27 against the Cincinnati Bengals, he was initially suspended for three games for a helmet-to-helmet hit on wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Jon Runyan, the league's Vice President of Football Operations, said in a letter:
“You were involved in a play that the league considers a serious violation of the playing rules. You lowered your head and delivered a forcible blow to the shoulder and then the head/neck area of the receiver. You had unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided.”
The former offensive tackle and US Representative continued:
“When players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, and particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player, it is appropriate to impose substantially greater penalties.”
Perryman would appeal the suspension with the assistance of former wide receiver James Thrash. He partially succeeded, getting it reduced to two games.