NFL Hits Kansas City Chiefs with Steep Six-Figure Penalty

In a gripping season opener played on Thursday Night Football, the Kansas City Chiefs overcame the Baltimore Ravens 27-20 in the 2024 NFL season opener. It was almost a different story towards the end of the fourth quarter when Ravens’ tight end Isaiah Likely was denied a touchdown after a closer-than-usual boundary call.

The Chiefs held on to their lead. Emotions ran high at the beginning of the fourth quarter as Patrick Mahomes, quarterback for the Chiefs, was taken down by Ravens linebacker Roquan after it seemed that the quarterback was already out of bounds.

After the controversial play, Peyton Hendershot, one of the Chiefs tight ends who was unavailable for the game, defended his quarterback and pushed after Smith. Immediately before the Cincinnati Bengals' Week 2 hosting, the NFL punished the Chiefs organization for the Week 1 incident.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, "The NFL fined the Kansas City Chiefs organization $100,000 and tight end Peyton Hendershot $5,472 for a sideline shove that drew the ire of Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith in last week's kickoff game, per sources."

NFL Enforces Conduct Rules

Nonetheless, Smith and Hendershot were not called for any infractions during the live game related to the breach.

Moreover, according to Pelissero, Hendershot, who moved from the Dallas Cowboys to Kansas City, plans to appeal the fine against him. This personnel action is part of the NFL's new approach to determining how to better supervise the players' and team staff’s activities during a game day.

A pre-season memo to all teams stated, "Clubs are responsible for the conduct of their players and other club personnel throughout the game day period. NFL Football Operations will enforce these policies and assess accountability measures on both individuals and clubs as appropriate, which may include ejection, fines and/or suspensions without pay." After the game, Smith came out to wallop Hendershot concerning the recent incident.

He said, "(Mahomes) flopped (on the sideline). That’s why they didn’t call it. Great no call. But whoever 88 is better watch himself. He did a little slick push. Whoever he is, I’ll see him when I see him."