Why Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith is appealing $26,739 fine for helmet hit on Saints RB

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith was officially fined by the NFL for a helmet-to-helmet hit on New Orleans Saints running Alvin Kamara in the Cowboys’, 13-10, victory last Thursday.

The play did not draw a flag in the game, to the displeasure of the Saints. But the NFL levied a $26,739 fine against Smith, according to a source.

Smith plans to appeal the fine. He said he has no intention of hitting Kamara in the head.

“It’s the last gladiator sport,” Smith said. “As I was going to tackle him, he turned his body at the last second, and I hit him. I hit him. I put my arms out to hit him, and there was some contact. But, like I said, it’s the game that we love and definitely no intentions to play the game the wrong way. I’ve been taught well.”

Smith is second on the team in tackles with 105 and is known as the team’s hardest hitter on a defense that ranks fifth in the league and riding a four-game winning streak heading into Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

This story was originally published December 7, 2018 at 3:32 PM.