The NFL fined Detroit Lions linebacker Jamie Collins $35,096 for making contact with an official with his helmet in the season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears.
Collins is appealing the fine, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Referee Alex Kemp ejected Collins from the Week 1 game in the second quarter after Collins lowered the crown of his helmet and gently bumped into Kemp’s chest.
It appeared that Collins was trying to demonstrate what had happened during the previous play, when Bears running back David Montgomery lowered his head into Collins. Kemp said after the game it was “unnecessary contact.”
Collins, 30, signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Lions in March.
He had two tackles against the Bears and added five tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack in last Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers.
A two-time Super Bowl champion and 2015 Pro Bowl selection with New England, Collins has 582 tackles, 25.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and 10 interceptions in 98 career games with the Patriots (2013-16, 2019), Cleveland Browns (2016-18) and Lions.
