The NFL Friday fined two Seahawks, OLB Bruce Irvin and DE Michael Bennett, for striking Patriots players as New England tried to run out the clock near the end of Super Bowl XLIX, setting off a brief melee. The league docked Irvin $10,000 and Bennett $8,268, according to NFL.com.
Patriots TEs Rob Gronkowski and Michael Hoomanawanui were also involved in the scuffle and were fined $8,268 apiece. Irvin was tossed from the game.
Patriots QB Tom Brady was attempting to take a knee with 20 seconds remaining at his five-yard line when Irvin and Gronkowski got into a shoving match. Irvin then got pushed from behind as the unrest escalated.
Irvin, who then locked up with Hoomanawanui and had to be separated, later apologized for his actions.
I want to apologize to all of the younger kids for my actions last night. I was trying to protect my brother and it got out of hand.
— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) February 2, 2015
The NFL also confirmed that Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin was fined $11,025 for unsportsmanlike conduct for his touchdown reception celebration.
However, RB Marshawn Lynch was not fined for his non-answer answers to questions at his three mandatory media obligations during Super Bowl week. Nor was he fined for wearing a hat from his Beast Mode line of clothing, since its manufacturer, New Era, is an NFL sponsor.
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Fair actions by the league, especially after Gronk fessed up on the Jimmy Kimmel show. I wonder if Endelman has apologized to Jeremy Lane for causing his broken wrist?