It’s not often that an NFL team can sustain excellence for a grueling 17-game regular season grind and ruthless postseason gauntlet. But the Philadelphia Eagles did just that, mostly picking their way through opponents for the remainder of the 2022-23 season en route to a Super Bowl date against the Kansas City Chiefs. Therefore, it’s no surprise that players like Eagles safety CJ Gardner-Johnson gave it their all in one of the greatest games any pro football player could ever be in.
No player would dare give a single meter to his opponents. With the NFL’s biggest trophy on the line, they’d add flair to every run, every shot, and every hit. This is exactly what Gardner-Johnson did. But he may have put more energy into his tackle than NFL officials want to allow.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the NFL recently fined CJ Gardner-Johnson $14,111 for “dipping his head to initiate helmet contact” on a hit against Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco with just over four minutes left in the fourth period and the score tied 35 apiece . Gardner-Johnson then couldn’t help but sarcastically laugh at the NFL’s decision to punish him days after the big game.
“Tell Me Why I Got Fined For Super Bowl Hit “, Gardner-Johnson he wrote on his official Twitter account.
CJ Gardner-Johnson’s camp will appeal the fine, according to Eagles safety agent Kevin Conner.
As puzzled as Gardner-Johnson may be, one could understand why the NFL decided to impose some form of punishment on the Eagles’ safety. With Isiah Pacheco carrying the ball into the middle of the field, Gardner-Johnson charged right into him, hitting him helmet first with a head full of steam.
However, this fine is only to add insult to injury for CJ Gardner-Johnson. Not only did he miss the Super Bowl, 38-35, following brilliant management of the late clock by the Chiefs, but his wallet was also lightened by $14,111, excluding the verdict on his appeal. But as a defender with his level of pride, he surely would have remained proud of the great blow he landed, despite everything.
