FLOWERY BRANCH -- Falcons safety William Moore was fined $22,050 by the NFL on Thursday for using the crown of his helmet to strike Arizona wide receiver Jaron Brown.
Moore plans to appeal the fine.
“Absolutely, I’m going to appeal it," Moore said, shortly after opening the letter from the league office. "There’s no doubt about it.
“I don’t know if I even have a voice in it. All I can do is appeal it. Do I disagree? Yes. Do I dislike it? Yes. I don’t feel like that was a fine. I would like to be able to play real football. You know what I’m saying?”
Because he didn't receive a penalty, Moore thought he was in the clear for the play.
Moore is the team’s biggest hitter as Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown discovered.
“It was one of those plays where I had an opportunity,” Moore said after the game. “I saw the opportunity. But I definitely thought about it. I wanted to make sure that it was legal.”
During the 2013 season Moore was fined $75,550 for four different hits. He appealed those fines and some were reduced.
“I’m proud of myself because I didn’t get a flag on that play,” Moore said. “That was more important to me. I’ve been working on playing within the rules and that’s what I’m proud about; I didn’t cost the team 15 yards. That was huge.”
Moore appears confused by the league's action.
“I watched it a few times and I’m trying to play within the rules. I pride myself in trying to be a class act and play the game how it’s supposed to be played. I still try to play hard-nosed. I don’t know what to do if they are going to fine us for everything that we do. Is it really about the players is what I have to ask?”
The hit seemed to energize the defense, which had struggled in Moore's absence. It was his first game back after missing seven games with a shoulder injury.
“I guess those $22,000 was worth getting the team riled up. If that’s what it takes, that’s what we have to do.”
NEXT UP: The Falcons (5-7) play at the Green Bay Packers (9-3) at 8:30 p.m. Monday at historic Lambeau Field.
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