Defensive tackle Aaron Donald apparently didn’t get the memo that the Rams weren’t planning to put up any fight on Monday night against the 49ers.
Donald was ejected in the fourth quarter of the 28-0 loss after making contact with an official. That came following some post-play pushing and shoving that led to a penalty for Donald when he grabbed 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton around the neck and knocked Patton’s helmet off. He then made contact with the official, earning a disqualification that he explained after the game.
“I let the emotions get the best of me,” Donald said, via the Los Angeles Daily News. “I’m going to have to pay for my actions. But any time you lose like that you’re going to be embarrassed. On that play I just saw something happened and I thought I would stand up for my guys, and it was a dumb decision to do it the way I did it.”
Donald was right to be embarrassed by the way his team played on Monday. He’s also right about the potential cost of his actions.
Physical contact with an official draws a fine of more than $30,000 while striking an opponent carries a $9,115 minimum penalty. Donald was also flagged for roughing 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert earlier in the game, which could be an $18,231 fine.