New Orleans Saints Rookie Khristian Boyd Fined for Controversial Hit
In a significant turn of events during Week 3 of the NFL season, New Orleans Saints rookie defensive tackle Khristian Boyd has been fined $4,600 by the league for a hit on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith. The incident, which occurred at a critical juncture of the game, has sparked widespread debate and scrutiny.
The hit left Smith concussed and unable to continue playing. Despite the severity of the impact, Boyd was not penalized during the game, drawing criticism from various quarters for the officials' handling of the situation. According to the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, the maximum fine for a first-time offender's hit on a defenseless player can reach up to $16,883. Boyd's fine, although significantly less, equates to 10% of his salary cap number, which hovers slightly over $839,000.
Eyewitnesses described the alarming moments following the hit. Fred Johnson, recounting the scene, said, "I'd seen him [knocked] out, and that's when I waved to the training staff, like he's out cold. It was scary. You never want to see (something) like that, especially on a play where he catches the ball, and he's running backwards for like five steps. It's on the refs to call that play dead, and take the necessary action when he's hit late. DeVonta's size, and so a lineman hitting him after five steps of him catching the ball, it's unprofessional. They're going to look at it and see that they need to take necessary actions."
The fallout from the incident didn’t stop with the in-game moments. Smith was later diagnosed with a concussion and was notably absent from the Eagles' practice on Wednesday. His ability to participate in the upcoming game will depend on successfully clearing the NFL's concussion protocol, a safeguard put in place to ensure the wellbeing of players.
Boyd, aware of the backlash and the significance of the injury, reached out to Smith via social media. In a message on Instagram, he expressed his regret: "I would never deliberately try to give someone a serious injury."
However, emotions were running high among Smith's teammates. C.J. Gardner-Johnson did not mince words when discussing the hit: "Man, that's the dirtiest shit I ever saw in football, bro. Y'all obviously saw that forward progression was stopped. And for them to take a cheap shot on one of our key guys, it shows what kind of team that is. They're front-runners."
The criticism extended to game officials, who were faulted for their delayed reaction to the hit. Fred Johnson's earlier comments underscore the sentiment that more immediate and decisive action should have been taken. The incident has highlighted broader concerns about player safety and the consistency of officiating in the league.
Smith’s absence, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding his return, poses a significant challenge for the Eagles. His role as a key player makes his potential absence all the more impactful. Meanwhile, the Saints and Boyd will need to navigate the negative attention while adhering to league protocols and standards.
As the NFL continues to grapple with issues of player safety, incidents like this serve as stark reminders of the physical and often perilous nature of the sport. The league's response and the actions of individual players and teams in the aftermath will likely influence ongoing discussions about rules, fines, and the long-term health of its athletes.
Ultimately, the broader implications of the hit on Smith could prompt further examination and possibly revisiting of the protocols that govern player conduct and safety measures. For now, both the Saints and the Eagles will press ahead with their season, contending with the immediate impacts of the incident and the broader questions it raises.