Rams Nickell Robey-Coleman Fined by NFL for Helmet-to-Helmet Hit

The NFL handed down a $26,739 fine to Los Angeles Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman. He was punished for his helmet-to-helmet hit during the NFL Championship Game. The hit was on Tommylee Lewis, a wide receiver with the New Orleans Saints, said an NFL source. Nickell Robey-Coleman was not flagged on the play.

Sources in the NFL have also said that New Orleans head coach Sean Payton had spoken to the league. Payton asked about how it would handle the controversial no-call ending of regulation in the NFC title game. It appeared that Robey-Coleman ran into Lewis before the ball had arrived. However, he was not called for pass interference or a personal foul for the helmet-to-helmet hit.

Sources said that Payton had spoken with Al Riveron, the head of officials with the NFL. He also spoke to Troy Vincent the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, and commissioner Roger Goodell. Payton texted with Rich McKay, the competition committee chair as well.

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Nickell Robey-Coleman told reporters that he would pay the fine and would not appeal.

If pass interference had been called, the Saints would have received an automatic first down at the spot of the foul and could have run the clock down to less than 20 seconds before attempting a field goal of 20 to 25 yards.

Instead, the Saints kicked a field goal on the next play and Los Angeles drove down the field and kicked its own field goal before the end of regulation to send the game to overtime tied 23-23. The Rams eventually won in overtime on a field goal 26-23. They will play in Super Bowl LIII on February 3 against the New England Patriots.

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Following the game, Robey-Coleman said he thought he would be flagged for a penalty after the play but one of the officials on the field said he thought the pass had been tipped, but replays clearly showed that it was not.

Payton said no penalty was called but Riveron told the Saints’ coach that NFL officials had blown the call by not giving Robey-Coleman a penalty.

Since the no-call there have been players that have voiced their disbelief, petitions filed, billboards put up, boycotts across New Orleans, a letter from the governor of Louisiana chastising Goodell, and lawsuits filed.