Giants Running Back Cam Skattebo Fined Over $7,000 for Helmet Violation
NFL penalizes Skattebo for a flag he was given during the game, drawing the player's criticism.
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo has been fined $7,073 by the NFL for an illegal use of helmet violation during the team's 27-21 victory over the Houston Texans. Skattebo was one of eight players fined across the league for such infractions in Week 7, but he was the only one who received a flag during the game itself.
Following the win, Skattebo expressed his frustration with the penalty and subsequent fine, stating, "The NFL loves to post [about] me when I do stuff like that — but then also wants to take stuff from me. I’m going to run the ball like I want to run the ball. And if I’m going to continue to get flagged for it or fined for it, man, I guess I’m going to play for free."
He added, "I’m going to do what I can to be on this team, to give everything I’ve got. And if they’re going to punish me for that, then I’m just going to keep doing it and keep playing hard."
Giants right guard Francis Mauigoa acknowledged Skattebo's reaction to the flag, saying, "[Skattebo] was pissed off when he got the personal foul. It’s football. Play football. We’re not playing patty-cake."
While officials typically do not call penalties for illegal use of the helmet, Skattebo's case resulted in both a flag and a fine. The other seven players fined for similar violations, who were not flagged during their respective games, received penalties ranging from $4,916 to $47,662. Notably, Broncos safety Alex Singleton was fined for the second consecutive week.