In a hard-hitting Monday night matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a controversial play took center stage. Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith performed a tackle that ultimately left Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin with a dislocated ankle. The NFL has since reviewed the play and determined that Smith’s tackle was illegal, specifically a hip-drop tackle.
According to Mark Maske of the Washington Post, Smith is expected to be fined for his actions in Week Seven. This news comes as a blow to Smith, who may have been unaware of the violation at the time of the tackle. The on-field officials did not flag Smith for the tackle, adding to the confusion surrounding the rule change that banned hip-drop tackles this season.
The NFL Players Association has been critical of the new rule, arguing that it is ill-defined and can lead to fines for tackles that go unnoticed by officials. Smith, when asked about the potential fine, remained tight-lipped but expressed his respect for Godwin and his regret at the injury. He also highlighted the challenge of making split-second decisions in the fast-paced environment of an NFL game.
While the debate over the legality of Smith’s tackle rages on, one thing is clear: player safety is paramount. The NFL’s decision to fine Smith serves as a reminder that player protection is a top priority, even if it means enforcing rules that may be difficult to interpret in the heat of the moment. As the league continues to review plays and hold players accountable, the hope is that incidents like this can be minimized in the future.
