In a recent Week 3 matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Chargers, Vikings safety Harrison Smith found himself on the receiving end of a fine from the National Football League (NFL).
During the first quarter of the Vikings vs Chargers game, Harrison Smith delivered a hit on Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer following a three-yard gain.
The hit, identified as an “impermissible use of helmet,” was seen as a violation of NFL rules and regulations.
Harrison Smith fined $21,855 for impermissible use of helmet. https://t.co/QEwuurKIEP
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 30, 2023
Surprisingly, the hit went unnoticed by the officials during the game, as no penalty flag was thrown. This lack of intervention allowed the Chargers to continue their drive.
Despite Harrison Smith’s hit on Joshua Palmer, the Chargers managed to maintain their offensive rhythm and successfully drove down the field. The drive concluded with a three-yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert to Donald Parham Jr.
Following the game, the NFL reviewed the hit by Harrison Smith. Upon evaluation, the league ruled it an illegal hit due to impermissible use of the helmet, leading to the subsequent fine.
The fine imposed on Harrison Smith, amounting to $21,855, is the standard punishment for a first offense involving impermissible use of the helmet marking it his first fine of the season.
While Harrison Smith has not publicly addressed the fine, it is expected that he will comply with the league’s decision and take necessary steps to rectify his technique to avoid similar penalties in the future.
