The Detroit Lions snagged a win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5 of the NFL season, so that means they're able to head into this week, which is their bye week, with smiles on their faces. It sure feels a lot better than going into a week off after a loss.
But one Lions player has been hit with some bad news during his week off. He's being punished by the NFL for actions he took during the team's game against the Cardinals.
Every weekend, the NFL hands out punishments in the form of fines to players who break the rules in the prior weekend's games. "The NFL uses the fine schedule to outline the league's and the union's expectations for players to conduct themselves in a way that honors the sport and respects the game, themselves, their fellow players, the fans and the league," the NFL states on its official website.
Lions defensive end D.J. Wonnum receives an NFL fine for a hip-drop tackle against the Cardinals
On Saturday, the NFL officially handed out its Week 5 punishments. In the announcement, the league revealed that it's fining Lions defensive end D.J. Wonnum $12,611 for unnecessary roughness involving a hip-drop tackle at 3:54 in the second quarter.
During the incident, Wonnum made an illegal tackle on a Cardinals ball carrier, but no penalty flag was thrown by the officials at the time. Still, after reviewing the play, the NFL decided it warranted a fine.
Now, Wonnum has to pay up unless he decides to appeal the fine and the NFL grants his appeal. But it's worth noting that the money goes toward a good cause. The funds raised from fines are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation and NFL Foundation.
