Inside The Vikings

Vikings' Harrison Smith hit with $45K fine for hit against Rams

Smith wasn't penalized on the play but was later fined for "impermissible use of the helmet."
Will Ragatz|
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In this story:

Minnesota Vikings

Vikings safety Harrison Smith was fined $45,020 for "impermissible use of the helmet" on a hit against the Rams in the wild card round last week.

Smith's helmet appeared to contact the helmet of Rams tight end Tyler Higbee after a reception in the first quarter of last Monday's game. No flag was thrown on the play in the moment, but the NFL can still assess fines after the fact.

$45K used to be the fine amount for a second offense of illegal helmet use. Recently, as the league has cracked down on such hits, it's the standard amount for even a first-time offender like Smith.

It's by far the most any Vikings player has been fined all season. The full list is below:

* $45,020: Harrison Smith, impermissible use of the helmet, playoffs
* $11,255: Byron Murphy Jr., taunting, Week 16
* $15,167: Jerry Tillery, hit on defenseless player, Week 13
* $6,544: Cam Akers, impermissible use of the helmet, Week 10
* $11,255: Blake Cashman, face mask, Week 10
* $11,255: Cam Robinson, late hit, Week 10
* $11,817: Aaron Jones, low block, Week 8
* $5,120: Ivan Pace Jr., face mask, Week 8
* $9,667: Jihad Ward, late hit, Week 2

NFL fine money goes to the NFLPA Players Assistance Trust (which helps former players) and various charitable organizations. Smith had a cap hit of around $6.5 million in 2024 and has made close to $100 million in his 13-year career, but losing $45K still isn't fun.

Smith is the Vikings' longest-tenured player and one of the oldest defensive players in the league. For the second consecutive offseason, he has a decision to make between retiring or returning to play another year. If he does come back, it would be his 14th season. Emotions ran high for the 2012 first-round pick and possible future Hall of Famer following the abrupt ending to the Vikings' season.

Stay up to date on all things Vikings by bookmarking Minnesota Vikings On SI, subscribing to our YouTube channel, and signing up to receive our free Vikings newsletter.

Published
Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

Share on XFollow WillRagatz
Home/News