Jets guard Willie Colon to appeal reported $35,000 fine

Facing a reported $35,000 fine by the NFL for his role in a melee during the Jets-Patriots game, Willie Colon will appeal. (Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Jets guard Willie Colon said he will appeal a $35,000 NFL fine reported by Newsday on Thursday. The NFL reportedly will announce the fine Friday.

Colon was involved in a melee last Thursday that followed Jets center Nick Mangold's dive at Patriots defensive back Aqib Talib on the New England sideline on an interception return. Colon and Jets tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson jumped to Mangold's defense when some Patriots went after Mangold.

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Ferguson was fined $15,000 this week. Colon was told he will be fined for making contact with a referee and for throwing punches at Patriots players.

From Newsday:

"It's way more than I expected, so, all I can do is appeal," Colon said. "I kind of got the double whammy, so to speak," said Colon, who explained he never saw the official because he was focused on helping his teammates.

Talib said he didn't think Mangold's hit was dirty, and he has yet to hear from the NFL.

"When I first heard he had missed a practice, I was concerned," Mangold said. "But I'm glad that's he's all right." As for the prospect of escaping a fine, Mangold said, "I'm cautiously optimistic."