In Week 3 of the NFL season, New Orleans Saints rookie defensive tackle Khristian Boyd faced scrutiny after a controversial hit on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith. The incident, which left Smith concussed and unable to continue playing, has sparked significant discussion and led to a $4,600 fine levied against Boyd.
Incident Details
The hit occurred during a critical moment in the game, provoking immediate concern for Smith's well-being. Fred Johnson, a close observer of the incident, described the moments following the hit vividly: "I'd seen him [knocked] out, and that's when I waved to the training staff, like he's out cold. It was scary. You never want to see (something) like that, especially on a play where he catches the ball, and he's running backwards for like five steps. It's on the refs to call that play dead, and take the necessary action when he's hit late. DeVonta's size, and so a lineman hitting him after five steps of him catching the ball, it's unprofessional. They're going to look at it and see that they need to take necessary actions."
Smith's condition post-hit was alarming, leading to an immediate diagnosis of a concussion. This diagnosis not only kept him out of the remainder of the game but also saw him miss the Eagles' practice on Wednesday, putting his participation in upcoming games in jeopardy pending clearance from the NFL's concussion protocol.
Boyd's Reaction and Fine
Boyd, who was not penalized during the game, expressed his remorse over the incident via social media. "I would never deliberately try to give someone a serious injury," Boyd wrote on Instagram, reaching out directly to Smith. Despite his apologies, the NFL imposed a $4,600 fine on Boyd, which is 10% of his salary cap number slightly exceeding $839,000. According to the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, the maximum fine for a first-time offender’s hit on a defenseless player can reach up to $16,883.
Criticism and The Aftermath
The incident has also drawn criticism towards the game officials for their handling of the situation. C.J. Gardner-Johnson did not mince words when expressing his frustration: "Man, that's the dirtiest shit I ever saw in football, bro. Y'all obviously saw that forward progression was stopped. And for them to take a cheap shot on one of our key guys, it shows what kind of team that is. They're front-runners." The delayed reaction by the officials has become a point of contention, adding to the controversy surrounding the hit.
The case of Khristian Boyd and DeVonta Smith emphasizes the ongoing challenges within the NFL regarding player safety and officiating. As the league continues to refine its policies and enforcement related to player protection, incidents like this highlight the critical need for vigilance and immediate action to prevent serious injuries on the field. The sports community will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how the NFL responds to such incidents moving forward, ensuring that the game remains both competitive and safe for its players.