Bear Digest

Gigantic NFL fine for Ravens hit on Bears' Olamide Zaccheaus

The league caught up to Marlon Humphrey after the officials in Sunday's Bears loss failed.
Gene Chamberlain|
Running back D'Andre Swift is tracked down by Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey in Sunday's Bears loss.
Running back D'Andre Swift is tracked down by Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey in Sunday's Bears loss. | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

In this story:

Chicago Bears

The NFL found something the officials didn't see in Sunday's Bears-Baltimore Ravens game.

Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey got away unpenalized for a helmet-to-helmet hit in the open field on Bears wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus.

The league, though, has fined Humphrey a whopping $46,371 for making the blow to Zaccheaus' head. It matched the second-biggest fine given out this season for something that occurred in a game. The largest fine was $57,222 for Jalen Carter when he spit in Dak Prescott in Week 1.

The amount is the standard the league put down for impermissible use of the helmet/launching on a second offense. Humphrey was fined earlier this season for a facemask violation.

The play occurred midway through the fourth quarter when Zaccheaus caught a 4-yard pass near the sideline in the open field with the Bears trailing 23-13. Humphrey closed in, helmet lowered and Zaccheaus' head snapped back as it appeared the crown of his helmet made contact with Zaccheaus' chin area or lower facemask.

No penalty was called by referee Shawn Smith's crew.

A penalty at the time would have given the Bears the ball at the Ravens 49. They did get a first down and moved into Baltimore territory after the play to kick a field goal and close within 23-16.

More Chicago Bears News

Sign Up For the Bears Daily Digest - OnSI’s Free Chicago Bears Newsletter

X: BearsOnSI

Published | Modified
Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.