Kudos to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for fining referee Jim Quirk one game check for inappropriate contact with Packers linebacker Nick Barnett during last Sunday's game against the Bears.
Quirk grabbed Barnett around the neck and threw him to the ground in trying to head off a scuffle among several players. The fine totals $8,150.
Ray Anderson, NFL executive vice president of football operations, issued the fine to Quirk, who can appeal it to Goodell. It was Goodell who called Barnett and McCarthy on Thursday, and then met Quirk in the league's New York office today.
Quirk was also involved in an altercation with Falcons running back Jason Snelling on a kickoff return in a Dec. 16 game against Tampa Bay.
Goodell needed to take decisive action here, because it would have sent the wrong message by not disciplining Quirk. Players are often fined for abusive language toward officials - Warren Sapp was fined $75,000 yesterday for his berating of an official in last week's game against the Jaguars - so when an official acts inappropriately with players, it needs to be handled in a similar fashion.
Comments (1)
Will Goodel get it right that NE is a CHEAP SHOT TEAM! I doubt it!! Because it is all about money! Watch ALL of their games. They hit late on almost EVERY play! The poke in the eye should be a lengthy suspension! Roid boy ( Rodney Harrison" Would be the Barry Bonds of football but they have hid it! ) CLEAN IT UP GOODEL!!!!! NO one likes cheap shots! Oh BTW Randy Moss..
QUIT on OAKLAND!, He pushes off constantly! Now thats the kind of ALL STAR i want to go to combat with! I would be dead in IRAC if i did! OH Roger ..Your officials need investigating! It is all about money isnt it!