Jamien Sherwood’s helmet-to-helmet hit on Drake Maye didn’t cost the Jets 15 yards, but it’s now cost the linebacker $6,354.
With 1:09 remaining in the first quarter of New England’s win over New York last weekend, the rookie quarterback scrambled 18 yards and slid to the turf. As he slid, Sherwood lunged from behind and made helmet-to-helmet contact with Maye, who was eventually diagnosed with a concussion.
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There was no flag thrown on the play, and after the game, Sherwood pointed to the officials’ decision not to penalize him as evidence that the hit was clean. However, the league opted to fine him $6,354 for “unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet)” on Saturday afternoon.
“If it was helmet-to-helmet, the ref would have called it for one,” Sherwood said. “He just scrambled the pocket. At the end of the day, I’m trying to get to the ball. And him as a runner, he just has to do a better job of protecting himself just like I’m trying to do a good job of protecting myself and him as well. I feel like in that moment, I did a great job by going over top of him. My shoulder pad might have hit him in the head, but that’s not intentional.”
Maye was cleared from the concussion protocol on Saturday — he won’t miss a game — and Sherwood did wish him a speedy recovery last weekend.
“At the end of the day, we’re both competing. He’s a great player. I’m trying to become a great player. So all prayers to him. I hope he’s great,” the 24-year-old linebacker said. “I hope he’s healthy and can play next week. Nothing’s intentional at the end of the day. He’s a competitor. I’m a competitor, and doing what I can for my team and just try to win at that.”
