Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour took exception to it when Chiefs defensive end Tamba Hali called his team dirty. But the league office said one of Seymour’s hits against the Chiefs was a cheap shot.
The NFL has confirmed that Seymour was fined $15,750 for roughing the passer because he unnecessarily threw Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel to the ground after Cassel had thrown a pass. The hit drew a penalty that gave the Chiefs first-and-goal at the 10-yard line, setting up a touchdown on the next play, although it didn’t matter much because the Raiders already had a 26-9 lead with two minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Seymour had said prior to the game that he was bothered by the way Hali described the Raiders as dirty.
“Any time you play the game, you should play with a chip on your shoulder,” Seymour said. “You should play with an attitude. But in terms of being dirty, going out to hurt guys, I don’t think I play that way or any of my teammates [play dirty]. I don’t stand for it. But we do play tough and physical. I do believe that’s the way the game is supposed to be played. I respect guys that play the same way.”
But on that play, the league office didn’t respect the way Seymour played.