During the first of six Bengals wins this season, cornerback Adam Jones was penalized for unnecessary roughness for slamming Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper’s head into his helmet after it had been dislodged from Cooper’s head during a scuffle between the two men.
Jones was fined $35,000 by the league for his actions a few days later and said that he was going to appeal the punishment. That appeal has been heard and it did not go Jones’s way.
Jones posted a picture of a letter dated October 9 informing him that the appeals officer jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA to hear his argument (the name isn’t on the letter, but former NFL players James Thrash and Derrick Brooks serve in the role) upheld the fine handed down by NFL vice president of football operations Merton Hanks.
The letter says that Jones admitted the head slam, but said it was in response to provocation by Cooper during their scuffle. The appeals officer “heard and considered” Jones’s side before affirming the fine.