NFL Whacks Jordan Whitehead's Wallet Again

Jets' safety fined for unnecessary roughness against Chiefs

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Oct 7, 2023 9:11 PM EDT

In this story:

Jordan Whitehead has made two costly hits already this season.

For the second time in four weeks, the National Football League whacked the New York Jets' strong safety with a financial penalty for "unnecessary roughness." Whitehead's latest infraction occurred in the fourth quarter against Kansas City the Sunday Night Football and it will cost the veteran defender $21,855.

Citing a league source, ESPN's Rich Cimini reported news of the fine on Saturday evening.

Whitehead made two tackles in the final period of the Week 4 home game against the Chiefs. He also ran Patrick Mahomes out of bounds on a play that was called back on an offensive holding penalty. Whitehead was not flagged for unnecessary roughness on the field when the play in question occurred.

Using his @jwhite_333 account on the social media site formerly known as Twitter, Whitehead reposted Cimini's news post and added a message. "They gonna wonder why I stop tackling …," said Whitehead in a post timestamped at 8:01 pm ET.

Whitehead was hit with a $21,855 fine two weeks ago for a second-quarter play in a September 17 road game against Dallas. Delivering a third-down stop, the Jets' safety finished off a tackle on Cowboys' receiver Michael Gallup in the redzone. There was no flag thrown at the time.

Jets' safety Jordan Whitehead pulls down Cowboys' RB Tony Pollard

Pleading his innocence on X, Whitehead claimed he led with his shoulder while popping Gallup. The ballhawk reposted video of the play that was deemed worthy of financial penalty.

Whitehead has made 21 straight starts for Gang Green since signing as a free agent in 2022. Through four games this season, he has accounted for three interceptions and 25 tackles.