FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-72               11/7/01
 

KYLE TURLEY FINED $25,000, DAMIEN ROBINSON $20,000
FOR ALTERCATI0N IN SAINTS-JETS GAME

New Orleans Saints tackle Kyle Turley has been fined $25,000 by the Saints and New York Jets safety Damien Robinson has been fined $20,000 by the NFL for their involvement in an altercation in the Saints-Jets game last Sunday night.

NFL Director of Football Operations Gene Washington has informed both players that future infractions of this type are likely to result in suspension.

“On a run play,” wrote Washington in a letter to Robinson, “after the New Orleans quarterback had been tackled by your teammates, you grabbed him by his facemask and repeatedly pulled and twisted it violently and unnecessarily.”

Robinson’s actions created an unnecessary risk of injury to his opponent, which violates NFL policy on game-related misconduct. The policy states:

“Any act irrelevant to the game of football that appears intended to create an unnecessary risk of injury to an opposing player will result in a level of discipline substantially higher than normal fine levels whether or not the individual is a repeat offender…”

Washington said no further discipline would be imposed on Turley, but emphasized that the NFL would have fined Turley if the Saints had not taken action.

Turley grabbed Robinson’s facemask, threw his helmet across the field, and gave an obscene gesture before being ejected from the game.