TAMPA, Fla. — Unlike the college football game he watches, Broncos safety P.J. Locke was not ejected for his hit on Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Calvin Austin III last week.
But also unlike college football, Locke was fined more than $25,000 for his transgressions.
Locke received two identical fines of $13,972 from the NFL — one for his unnecessary roughness hit on a defenseless player and one for unsportsmanlike conduct for removing his helmet — totaling $27,944. Locke was also penalized 15 yards on the play, although the Steelers didn’t take advantage, punting the ball away four plays later.
Locke — who otherwise has played well in the Broncos’ first two games, receiving high grades from scouting websites like Pro Football Focus — told media members this week the reason he removed and slammed his helmet out of frustration was because after watching so much college football where many rough hits lead to targeting ejections, he thought he was ejected.
Locke is expected to appeal the fines.
The league also fined Broncos center Luke Wattenberg $5,872 for what was ruled a blindside block with 1:15 left in the third quarter. Wattenberg was not penalized on the play and also figures to appeal.
