Steelers players Alex Highsmith and Patrick Peterson were fined for actions against the Cleveland Browns last Sunday. Both fouls fell under the unnecessary roughness doctrine within the fine rules, meaning they had potential escalators that could rise. Highsmith was under the roughing-the-passer rule.
Highsmith’s fine is worth $16,391 for hitting Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson with helmet-to-helmet contact. That was called a foul on the field, and clearly, the officials agreed with the call.
I hate this sport anymore. Alex Highsmith had a perfect hit on the QB. But because of the “new rules” it’s RTP.
Absolute bullshit pic.twitter.com/TeQMbgkPr7
— taylornicole (@ay_taybay) November 19, 2023
When you watch the play, Highsmith’s contact to the head or neck area of Thompson-Robinson snaps his head backward, marking a clear penalty. Highsmith will have to pay that fine with a solid portion of his paycheck.
As for Peterson, his play was not penalized on the field. The play was deemed unnecessary roughness on the second review, and he was fined $10,927. Frequently, this is due to contact to the head or neck area within the play’s structure. Jaylen Warren’s fines are the most infamous of these fines among the Steelers crowd.
Fine amounts are set by the NFL CBA. Fines go to the Professional Athletes Foundation, which gives money to NFL legends in need and provides funds to support the health and safety of football players at all levels.
The Steelers have been fined nearly $400,000 so far this season. Here’s a summary of some of the notable fines this season:
2023 Steelers Fines
Week 1 SS Keanu Neal $8,556 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Week 1 LS Christian Kuntz $5,222 Face Mask
Week 2 ILB Kwon Alexander $43,709 Late Hit
Week 2 S Damontae Kazee $11,806 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Week 2 ILB Elandon Roberts $43,708 Impermissible Use of Helmet
Week 2 RB Jaylen Warren $48,556 Impermissible Use of Helmet
Week 3 ILB Kwon Alexander $43,709 Impermissible Use of Helmet
Week 3 SS Miles Killebrew $13,792 Helmet-to-Helmet Hit
Week 5 OLB T.J. Watt $13,659 Uniform/Equipment Violation
Week 5 OLB T.J. Watt $11,473 Hit on Defenseless Player
Week 7 WR Diontae Johnson $10,927 Taunting
Week 7 S Damontae Kazee $11,806 Impermissible Use of Helmet
Week 7 WR George Pickens $8,525 Taunting
Week 7 WR George Pickens $8,525 Blindside Block
Week 7 RB Jaylen Warren $48,556 Impermissible Use of Helmet
Week 8 S Damontae Kazee $11,806 Impermissible Use of Helmet
Week 8 S Damontae Kazee $11,806 Hit on Defenseless Player
Week 8 OLB T.J. Watt $16,391 Roughing the Passer
Week 8 WR Diontae Johnson $25,000 Criticizing Officials
Week 10 OLB Nick Herbig $5,101 Unnecessary Roughness