The NFL penalized Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne for unnecessary roughness in Week 18's win over the Dallas Cowboys after he threw a punch to Cowboys right guard Brock Hoffman following a field goal attempt from the division rival.
However, on Saturday, the league righted a wrong by fining Hoffman for unsportsmanlike conduct during the same play, while Payne avoided a fine.
You see, in the exchange in question, Hoffman initiated the altercation by grabbing Payne's belly after the play, which prompted Payne's reaction in the first place.
Cowboys RG Brock Hoffman fined $5,472 for unsportsmanlike conduct after grabbing DaRon Payne’s belly (?) on this play.
No fine for Payne. pic.twitter.com/OqNHU3rPVr— Mauricio Rodríguez (@MauNFL) January 11, 2025
Though you can argue the Commanders defensive tackle should still avoid responding with a punch to the face regardless of circumstance, the league did right by fining Hoffman.
After all, he should've been flagged for a penalty during the game.
Ultimately, the Commanders got the last laugh on this one in more than one way. Payne avoided the fine, they won the game in Week 18, and are playing in the playoffs this weekend while Dallas watches from home.
Every Saturday, the NFL is announcing its league-wide fines and amounts for penalties committed the previous week. The money collected by the league through player fines is "donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support Legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game."
