[Kevin]

Wednesday, October 30
Updated: October 31, 9:33 PM ET

Woodson fined for helmet-led hit on Seattle receiver

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By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


NEW YORK -- Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson has been fined $75,000, or one-tenth of his 2002 base salary, for his helmet-led hit on Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson during last Sunday's loss to Seattle.

The fine was confirmed Wednesday by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who is attending the two-day league meeting in New York, and also by a league official

Woodson, an 11-year veteran, was not suspended. Appearing on the Dan Patrick Show on ESPN Radio on Wednesday afternoon, Woodson said the fine was out of line.

"It's a big number, a substantial number," Jones said, "but at least there's no suspension with it."

Woodson, 33, was previously fined $7,500 for a hit on Arizona quarterback Jake Plummer in an Oct. 20 game. There have been suggestions that Woodson also was fined for an incident earlier in the 2002 season, but those suspicions have not been confirmed.

It was not known if Woodson would appeal, or had already appealed, his latest fine.

On the play in question, Woodson led with his helmet as Jackson attempted to make a catch, but did not make contact with Jackson's helmet. Woodson instead struck him in the shoulder and was flagged for unnecessary roughness against a player in a defenseless position, a 15-yard penalty.

Jackson sustained a concussion on the play. Later, in the locker room, he had a seizure that is believed related to the concussion. Although he was released from Baylor Medical Center in Dallas on Monday, Jackson continues to undergo tests and is unlikely to play this weekend against the Redskins.

A five-time Pro Bowl performer, Woodson has never been considered a dirty player, although he is noted as a very physical hitter. He established a new franchise record for total tackles in Sunday's 17-14 loss to the Seahawks.

The issue of overly aggressive hitting was addressed by team owners Wednesday.

"We're not going to tolerate hits that go over the line," commissioner Paul Tagliabue said, "especially for players who have been fined or warned on other occasions."

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com