Titans defensive tackle Jovan Haye was fined $5,000 for a facemasking penalty against the Raiders. He hopes that doesn’t make people get the wrong idea about him as a player.
“I am surprised,” Haye said, per Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. “I am surprised it wasn’t more. I just reached out and tackled my guy. I am not a dirty player.”
If you’re a defensive player in the NFL and you last a few years, as Haye has, you’re going to pick up a fine eventually. So Haye is right that people shouldn’t assume he’s a dirty player because of one fine.
In this case, Haye’s fine comes from grabbing Raiders running back Michael Bennett by the facemask, which resulted in a 15-yard penalty that helped set up a Raiders touchdown. Haye said he doesn’t plan to appeal the fine.