Donovin Darius fined, not suspended, for hit on Packers' Ferguson

[HocChe]

from:
http://nfl.com/news/story/8023581

NEW YORK (Dec. 21, 2004) -- Jacksonville Jaguars safety Donovin Darius has been fined $75,000 for unnecessary roughness last Sunday against Green Bay Packers wide receiver Robert Ferguson, the NFL announced.

NFL Director of Football Operations Gene Washington issued the fine, noting in a letter to Darius that on a pass play, "you violently and unnecessarily struck your opponent in the neck and head area with your forearm."

Darius was ejected from the game by referee Ed Hochuli.

Washington stated that Darius' actions violated Rule 12, Section 2, Article 1(c) of the NFL Official Playing Rules, which prohibit:

"... striking, swinging, or clubbing to the head, neck, or face with the heel, back, or side of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, or clasped hands."

Darius has no prior history of on-field violations of this magnitude, but Washington's letter emphasized that future infractions of this type by Darius will lead to increased disciplinary action, including possible suspension.

So it looks like it's only 75k w/no suspension. Would suspending Darius for as long as Ferguson is injured be too harsh? That'd be a good idea.

[dachamps]

from:
http://nfl.com/news/story/8023581

NEW YORK (Dec. 21, 2004) -- Jacksonville Jaguars safety Donovin Darius has been fined $75,000 for unnecessary roughness last Sunday against Green Bay Packers wide receiver Robert Ferguson, the NFL announced.

NFL Director of Football Operations Gene Washington issued the fine, noting in a letter to Darius that on a pass play, "you violently and unnecessarily struck your opponent in the neck and head area with your forearm."

Darius was ejected from the game by referee Ed Hochuli.

Washington stated that Darius' actions violated Rule 12, Section 2, Article 1(c) of the NFL Official Playing Rules, which prohibit:

"... striking, swinging, or clubbing to the head, neck, or face with the heel, back, or side of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, or clasped hands."

Darius has no prior history of on-field violations of this magnitude, but Washington's letter emphasized that future infractions of this type by Darius will lead to increased disciplinary action, including possible suspension.

So it looks like it's only 75k w/no suspension. Would suspending Darius for as long as Ferguson is injured be too harsh? That'd be a good idea.
Actually I think 75 k is to harsh all he did was clothesline him but he was going for the ball.It was not on purpose in my opinion.

[NomarFan5]

That, no matter intentional or not.. definitely had to hurt!!! Clotheslined that dude. Deserved fine. End.

[QuickDish15]

All Darius did was try to get the ball and he ended up clotheslining the guy. Tough break for Ferguson and Darius.

[Magus Relmyn]

Jaguars' Darius fined, but not suspended for hit on Packers' Ferguson

NEW YORK (AP) — Jacksonville safety Donovin Darius was fined $75,000 by the NFL on Tuesday for a hit across the neck of Green Bay's Robert Ferguson that left the wide receiver temporarily paralyzed.

http://images.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/_photos/2004-12-21-darius-in.jpg
Jaguars safety Donovin Darius cuts down Packers receiver Robert Ferguson with a forearm hit on Sunday.
By Mike Roemer, AP

Darius, who was ejected from the game, wasn't suspended because league disciplinarian Gene Washington noted that this was the first time he had been fined for a violation.

The hit came in the fourth quarter of Jacksonville's 28-25 win over the Packers.

Ferguson caught a pass over the middle, and Darius hit him across the helmet and neck with a forearm. Ferguson lay on the ground and was taken off the field, regaining feeling in his legs later, after he was hospitalized.

He was released from the hospital Tuesday.

Darius said in a statement that he spoke with Ferguson on Monday in the hospital.

"We had a good conversation in which he told me he has no hard feelings," Darius said. "We agreed that it was a part of the game. The most important thing is that Robert is OK."

I think this is the right justification. Good to hear Ferguson is ok.

[dachamps]

Suspension would of been to much of a punishment.I don't believe he did it on purpose,I believe he was just going for the ball and he clothesline him by accident.I'm glad to hear that Ferguson is ok.

[allsportidiot]

Uh guys I like what Micheal Irvin said, "Ferguson was holding the ball near his chest. I just dont see how you can be going for the ball by going at a guy's head while he is holding the ball at his chest". It may not have been meant to injury Ferguson but he sure as hell wasnt going for the ball. Fine was deserved and suspension if they could justify that he had intent to hurt Ferguson which I dont even think he did. But I still hate the guy for basically coming out and saying he didnt think it was a dirty hit. It was dirty. Farely good punishment as is.

[Magus Relmyn]

Sorry. I missed the other thread. I just merged them both together, to save some valuable forum room. :)

[hehateme71]

I dont mind him not getting suspended, all I want to see is a head shot on him, its only fair, and i am gonna make a note for myself to pray for that on saturday

[Dan]

Well, first of all, I'm glad Ferguson is ok. Second the fine is excessive, it was an accident. Darius was going for the ball and just hit him the wrong way. I hate to say it, but Darius can't get more of a penalty than Hugh Duglass got for his cheap shot on Jim Miller.

[AO street ballin]

He didn't mean to do it. If he did he would have done a little dance after, but he didn't. The fine I think is a little exsessive but it's better than suspension.

[X-Factor]

The guy should be suspended. There is no excuse for that kind of play.

[cardinals1982]

That was one of the hardest hits that I had seen in quite a while.

[allsportidiot]

He didn't mean to do it. If he did he would have done a little dance after, but he didn't. The fine I think is a little exsessive but it's better than suspension.

He does a little dance afterwards and he can kiss his NFL career goodbye. Even IF he meant to do it, he wouldnt be excited about it because Ferguson just got a 31 yard catch. I dont think the fine was excessive but I do agree that he should not have been suspended and this is coming for a Packers fan. IMP, I honestly couldnt tell you what he was thinking, but I could tell you what I saw which was a violent head shot.

[PacMan]

Ah, well, atleast he didn't clothesline Javon Walker or Donald Driver. I never thought Ferguson was any good, but thats still not the point, I know. :) The punishment was fine by me, I don't think he did it on purpose, but it would be nice to get himself cracked in his next game, although that probably wont happen.

[LudacrisFan]

I think they should have just Taken 1 Paycheck away from him... I mean if he can live without $300,000 for a week, he is pathetic

[Marshall]

Who cares about "Fines" in professional sports? Honestly? You act like it even effects the guy in questionl. They could whipe their asses with $100,000 and have millions of dollars to spare. It doesn't effect them in anyway shape or form.

[AO street ballin]

Who cares about "Fines" in professional sports? Honestly? You act like it even effects the guy in questionl. They could whipe their asses with $100,000 and have millions of dollars to spare. It doesn't effect them in anyway shape or form.

Actually that's not true. For an example, look at kickers. They don't make enough to be able to get fined and still have a lot left.