New Orleans' Boyd Fined for Concussing Eagles' Smith in Pivotal Game Moment
Week 3 of the NFL season brought a significant incident that led to a fine for New Orleans Saints rookie defensive tackle Khristian Boyd. Boyd was fined $4,600 for a hit on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith, a play that became one of the game’s critical moments.
The hit resulted in Smith being concussed and unable to continue playing. Despite the severity of the incident, Boyd was not penalized on the field. The NFL's collective bargaining agreement stipulates that the maximum fine for a first-time offender’s hit on a defenseless player can be as high as $16,883. However, Boyd's fine was proportionate to 10% of his salary cap number, which stands slightly above $839,000.
Fred Johnson, an eyewitness, described the moments following the hit in vivid detail. "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." Johnson's account highlights the delayed reaction of the officials, a point of contention following the game.
Smith's absence from the Eagle's practice on Wednesday underscored the severity of the injury. His participation in the upcoming game hinges on his ability to clear the NFL's concussion protocol. This injury has potentially significant implications for the Eagles, given Smith’s key role on the team.
Boyd’s actions on the field did not go unnoticed among his peers. C.J. Gardner-Johnson voiced his strong disapproval, stating, "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." Gardner-Johnson’s comments reflect the intensity of the game and how actions viewed as unsportsmanlike can impact team dynamics and reputation.
In response to the backlash, Boyd reached out to Smith via Instagram, expressing his regret over the incident. "I would never deliberately try to give someone a serious injury," Boyd wrote, attempting to clarify his intentions that led to the on-field collision.
Smith's injury and Boyd’s resulting fine highlight ongoing concerns about player safety in professional football. The NFL has made strides in recent years to protect players, particularly regarding hits to defenseless players. This incident reaffirms the need for vigilance and swift action by officials to ensure the safety of all players.
The incident continues to be a talking point as both teams prepare for their upcoming games. The Eagles will be missing a crucial player, and Smith will need to focus on his recovery, while the Saints may need to address the broader implications of Boyd's actions on their team's image and approach to the game.
As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how both teams handle the aftermath of this critical moment, and whether Boyd’s intentions are judged by his peers and the wider NFL community as genuine.
Contributions from this article include first-hand accounts from NFL insiders and players directly involved in the incident.