The NFL fined the Kansas City Chiefs organization $100,000 and tight end Peyton Hendershot $5,472 for a sideline shove that drew the ire of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith in last week's kickoff game, per sources.
Hendershot, who was acquired via trade with the Dallas Cowboys at last month's roster-cutdown deadline, was inactive for the game. But he came to Patrick Mahomes' defense after Smith appeared to knock down the star quarterback after Mahomes stepped out of bounds following a fourth-quarter run.
No flags were thrown on Hendershot or Smith, who accused Mahomes of flopping to try to draw a penalty. The Chiefs won the season opener, 27-20.
Hendershot plans to appeal his fine, per sources.
"Whoever 88 is, I don't know who he is, but he better watch himself," Smith said this week. "He did a little slick push. I'll see him when I see him."
The NFL has cracked down in recent years on inactive players and other sideline personnel getting involved in altercations with active players.
The league sent a memo to clubs on Aug. 7 reminding them in part: "The Playing Rules of the National Football League, and the 2024 Policy Manual for Member Clubs -- Game Operations prohibits non-player personnel (e.g., coaches, trainers, equipment staff, security personnel) and non-participant players (e.g., inactive players, practice squad players) from making unnecessary physical contact with, or taunting or directing abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures at opponents, Game Officials, or representatives of the League."
The memo added: "Clubs are responsible for the conduct of their players and other club personnel throughout the game day period. NFL Football Operations will enforce these policies and assess accountability measures on both individuals and clubs as appropriate, which may include ejection, fines and/or suspensions without pay."
Kansas City (1-0) hosts the Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
