NFL teams
Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff Writer 5y

Ravens' Marshal Yanda not fined for alleged spitting incident

NFL, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals

BALTIMORE -- Ravens guard Marshal Yanda was not fined by the NFL after allegations surfaced that he spit on Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict, a league source said Saturday.

Yanda, a six-time Pro Bowl lineman, was strong in his denial this week.

"I take a lot of pride in my character and how I was raised," Yanda said Wednesday. "I would never, ever spit on another man, another person, individual ever."

The sequence in question occurred in the fourth quarter of the Ravens' 24-21 victory over the Bengals. Burfict tackled Baltimore running back Alex Collins, and a minor scuffle ensued involving several players.

Video from the CBS broadcast of the game shows spit coming from Yanda's mouth while Burfict was on the ground after the play, and Burfict had no apparent reaction.

"The video, some people are taking it crazy, but all I was doing was wiping the spit off my helmet, away from the ground," Yanda said. "I swiped at it to make sure that it didn't land on anybody. I don't know if you guys know, during the course of a game, I'm like a heavy spitter. The adrenaline is fired up, and I'm spitting all the time -- sidelines, on the field, but not on anyone ever."

It is believed Yanda has been disciplined once in his 12-year NFL career. In 2012, Yanda got into an altercation with Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins after a play, and both were fined $7,875 for unnecessary roughness.

Around the NFL, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill was fined $10,026 for taunting after he flashed a peace sign at the end of a touchdown catch Monday against the Los Angeles Rams.

Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins was fined $13,369 for unsportsmanlike conduct for giving Saints coach Sean Payton the middle finger last week.

Chiefs safety Eric Murray was docked $26,739 for unnecessary roughness during the opening drive of that game.

Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons was fined $53,482 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on a defenseless receiver during a win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chargers' Jeff Richards was docked $26,739 for unnecessary roughness on a hit during a kickoff return. Los Angeles teammate Derwin James has to pay $10,026 for a face mask penalty.

Jacksonville's Calais Campbell was fined $20,054 for roughing the passer after his hit on Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger in the Jaguars' 20-16 loss. The penalty wiped out an interception by Myles Jack.

Campbell wrote on Twitter that he was "shocked by the call and even more shocked by the fine!'' He added that he planned to appeal the league's decision.

Jaguars teammates Yannick Ngakoue and Telvin Smith were each fined $10,026 for unnecessary roughness calls.

The Giants' Olivier Vernon was docked $20,054 for his roughing-the-passer penalty on Tampa Bay's Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Minnesota's Harrison Smith has to pay $10,026 for his hit that injured Chicago quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who went to ground at the end of a run and hurt his right shoulder. Trubisky missed the Bears' next game, on Thanksgiving Day against Detroit.

New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara was docked $10,026 for unsportsmanlike conduct after he tossed a ball at an opponent Sunday against Philadelphia.

Among others fined $10,026 by the league Saturday: Indianapolis' George Odum (unnecessary roughness), Cincinnati's Dre Kirkpatrick (unsportsmanlike conduct) and Green Bay's Bashaud Breeland (unnecessary roughness).

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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