Those that look forward to the physicality that defines matchups between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens were not disappointed on Sunday night.
The Ravens' 23-20 win featured numerous hard hits, some deemed too hard by the league office.
Steelers safety Ryan Clark was fined $40,000 for a second quarter play in which he launched himself into tight end Ed Dickson just after the ball glanced off Dickson's hands.
The fine came as a surprise to both Clark and Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin, who on Monday singled out the play to demonstrate an aggressive, legal hit during the team's video review, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette.
Clark was fined $15,000 for hitting Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski out of bounds in Week 8, a decision he accepted and understood. His feelings were different this time around.
"This time it's wrong," Clark said, before going into his best James Harrison impression, "not that I respected Roger before this."
Clark was referencing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who many Steelers believe has singled out the team in doling out fines for overly aggressive play on defense.
Lewis didn't disclose how much he was fined, but ESPN reported the linebacker was docked $20,000 for the hit that left Ward with what the team described as a stinger.
Lewis said he respected the game trying to protect players, but said he won't change his style of play to keep money in his wallet.
"When the receiver has the ball, your job is to disengage him from the ball," he said, according to the Carroll County Times. "You never want to hurt nobody. I've been in this business too long. I just think once you start getting into these fines I don't know how they come up with the numbers most of the time."
As for Lewis reaching out to Ward, don't count on it.
"No, talk to Hines for what?" Lewis said. "You don't have conversations after hits. You just keep moving."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
