Ray Lewis was so upset that 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was penalized for an illegal hit on Drew Brees on Sunday, that the future Hall of Famer even offered to pay half of Brooks’ fine, if the NFL penalized him further. Well, it looks like Lewis will be writing an $8,000 check on Brooks’ behalf.
The NFLÂ fined Brooks $16,000 on Wednesday for the controversial hit, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This is the second time Brooks has been fined for a hit this season. He was also fined $12,500 for a roughing the passer penalty on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 1.
Brooks flew by the Saints’ offensive line on a crucial fourth-down play late in the fourth quarter on Sunday and blindsided Brees with a monster hit. The 6-foot-3 Brooks came in a little high on the 6-foot quarterback, though, catching Brees in the neck area with his arm — almost like a clothesline. The play would have resulted in a turnover on downs for the Niners, which would have given them the ball back and under three minutes on the clock, but instead, Brooks was hit with a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty.
The penalty, which was hotly contested by Brook and the 49ers’ sideline, gave the Saints a new set of downs and put them in position for a game-tying field goal. New Orleans ultimately got the ball back again in the final minute and kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Brooks, 29, has started all 10 games at outside linebacker for the 49ers this season. He has 42 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks, one forced fumble and an interception on the year.
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