NFL denies Chiefs’ appeal of tampering punishment
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The NFL has denied the Kansas City Chiefs’ appeal of their punishment for violating the league’s tampering policy, the team announced Monday.
The NFL announced in March that Kansas City would forfeit their 2016 third-round pick and 2017 sixth-round pick for illegal contact with then-Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.
The Chiefs had direct contact with Maclin during last year’s free-agency negotiating period, which is prohibited by the league. Teams are only allowed to speak with agents during the negotiating period.
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Maclin was technically under contract with the Philadelphia Eagles when his deal with the Chiefs was agreed upon. Maclin signed a five-year deal with $22.5 guaranteed with the Chiefs last off-season.
The Chiefs were also fined $250,000 as an organization for violating the tampering policy. Head coach Andy Reid was fined $75,000 and general manager John Dorsey was fined $25,000.
The fines were reduced upon the appeal.
At the time of the punishment, Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt described the penalties as “inconsistent with discipline enforced in similar manners.”
