The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' stout defense received good news Wednesday as they prepare to take on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots and attempt to avoid falling to 0-3 Sunday.
The NFL announced Dashon Goldson's one-game suspension has been overturned. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport first reported the news.
Goldson was suspended by the NFL for an illegal hit on New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles in Week 2. Goldson told reporters Wednesday that he tries to keep his hits "within the rules."
"My intentions are never to go out here and hurt nobody," Goldson said. ... "I'm not trying to hurt my team, and I'm definitely not trying to hurt myself or another player."
Rapoport reported that Goldson will be fined $100,000 for the hit, equaling the record price tag that Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was hit with for being a habitual violator of the NFL's safety rules.
The ruling was not unlike the one Houston Texans safety Ed Reed was slapped with last year when he was a member of the Baltimore Ravens. Reed had his one-game suspension reduced to a $50,000 fine.
Goldson would have missed out on a $264,705 game check if the suspension was upheld, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
The decision to reduce the penalty was made by former NFL center Matt Birk, a hearing officer jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFL Players Association. Birk also upheld the $30,000 fine issued to Goldson for a violation of player safety rules in Week 1 against the New York Jets.
As a result of Goldson's two fines, totaling $130,000, the league is expected to fine the Bucs at least $50,000 for violating the NFL's club remittance policy, according to Rapoport. The policy allows the league to levy a $50,000 fine once a team reaches $105,000 in total fines during any given season.
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