Early reports were apparently wrong about the NFL fining Steelers safety Mike Mitchell more than $48,000 for a low hit on Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith last Sunday.
The NFL did fine Mitchell $9,115 for that late hit on Smith, which came below the knees after Smith had delivered a pass. However, the Kansas City Star reports that the NFL slapped Mitchell with a $48,620 fine for a helmet-to-helmet shot on Chiefs running back Charcandrick West. The hit landed West in the league's concussion protocol, and he missed Thursday's game against the Raiders.
But what about this Charcandrick West hit that Mike Mitchell went all in on? pic.twitter.com/gGE4hacQmh
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) October 19, 2017
The heftiness of the fine reflects Mitchell's status as a repeat offender, with two previous fines for unnecessary roughness.
Yet it's the hit on Smith that created the most controversy. After watching a replay, Smith himself said the hit was "as flagrant as it gets." Mitchell drew a 15-yard penalty on that play, while the head shot on West did not get flagged.
Mitchell denied intentionally going low against Smith, saying he'd been tripped and then shoved by another player.
"I'm not a dirty player," Mitchell said (via ESPN).