The NFL 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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