Nearly a week after Super Bowl LVII, Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson got a $14,111 fine for lowering his head to initiate contact during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
With the score tied 35-35 and less than five minutes left in the Super Bowl, Gardner-Johnson leveled the Kansas running back Isiah Pacheco with what seemed to be a clean shot, temporarily knocking Chiefs rookie out of the game.
No flags were thrown, but upon further review, the NFL felt the hit was dirty and fined the Eagles safety. Gardner-Johnson is baffled.
Gardner-Johnson made clear that he didn’t agree with the NFL decision.
Tell me why I got fined from the hit in Super Bowl 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
— C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) February 16, 2023
The 25-year-old Gardner-Johnson is no stranger to NFL fines. In 2020, he was fined $5,128 for dragging a player out of a pile after an onside kick. In 2021, he was fined $15,000 for fighting Chicago receiver Anthony Miller.