The NFL rescinded the fine levied to New York Jets safety Jamal Adams for his hit on Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield in Week 2, multiple media outlets reported Thursday.
Adams was fined $21,056 and appealed. He was flagged with a late hit on Mayfield in the Jets’ 23-3 loss to the Browns on Sept. 16.
Appeals officer Derrick Brooks overturned the fine after review.
Adams laughed when he heard about the decision Thursday.
“I told ya’ll, if you just listen to me. I’m gonna be completely honest and I’m gonna tell you straight up,” Adams said. “I knew I was gonna win it because it was legal. Ha ha … I got that $22 (thousand) back in my pocket, oh my God… I’m just happy that it wasn’t taken out because now I can spend that lovely money on my mother for her birthday. I’m excited about that.”
He added that he won’t alter how he plays the game.
“I’ve never been a dirty guy, but I am full throttle when I’m on the field,” Adams said. “I’m never trying to take cheap shots at anybody, but at the same time, I’m all about playing fast football. That’s never going to change for me.”
Adams, who turns 24 next week, said after the fine was assessed that he disagreed with both the flag and the financial penalty.
“It bothered me a lot,” Adams said at the time. “Because it’s like, what do you want me to do? It was legal. Next time I might just tag him on the hip and say he’s it. And play tag with him. I don’t know what else you want me to do in that situation.”
