(SportsNetwork.com) – Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola was fined $10,000 by
the NFL this week for striking a New England player in the back of the helmet
in the final minute of Sunday’s 34-9 loss to the Patriots.
NFL spokesman Michael Signora said Wednesday Raiola was fined for unnecessary
roughness for violating a rule prohibiting “striking, swinging at, or clubbing
the head, neck, or face of an opponent” with your wrist, arm, elbow or hand.
Raiola swung at rushing Patriots defensive lineman Zach Moore on a 3rd-and-9
pass play, hitting him in the back of the helmet and knocking him to the
ground.
Signora said Raiola was not fined for diving at Moore’s legs on the final snap
of the game as the Lions kneeled to run out the clock
Raiola drew criticism for the attempted cut block and for implying he did it
because the Patriots scored a late touchdown in a rout.
