The NFL fined Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden — and not Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon — for the penalized flare-up between the two during last Sunday’s showdown at Lambeau Field.
While Nixon was flagged 15 yards by officials on the field, it was Burden who was fined $11,075 by the league for unnecessary roughness. Broadcast replays clearly showed Burden putting his hand on Nixon’s neck, which resulted in Nixon’s reaction and the eventual penalty being thrown. The league’s review of the play pointed to Burden as the aggressor of the situation.
Jawing and shoving between Burden and Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine after a 1-yard run started the kerfuffle. Several times, Burden hit Valentine in the helmet before several other players got involved. It was only after the two sides were separated did Burden grab Nixon’s neck in the secondary incident.
The 15-yard penalty on Nixon gave the Bears a first down at the 18-yard line, and Chicago made a 33-yard field goal a few plays later.
Here’s the play in question:
Nixon eventually got the last laugh, both on the field — with his game-sealing interception — and from the league’s review. He got the win, Burden got the fine.
No Packers player has been fined under the league’s gameday accountability umbrella since Colby Wooden in Week 11.
