Lynch loses appeal of $75,000 fine

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), May 11, 2005 | by FRANK SCHWAB THE GAZETTE

The NFL won't reduce the $75,000 fine Denver Broncos safety John Lynch received last season.

NFL spokesman Steve Alic said Tuesday the league had denied Lynch's appeal to reduce the fine, which he received for a helmet- to-helmet hit on Indianapolis tight end Dallas Clark in Denver's season finale Jan. 2.

"(Lynch's hit) was against league rules and the fine was deemed appropriate," Alic said.

Broncos spokesman Jim Saccomano said Lynch was unavailable for comment. Lynch has denied requests to discuss the fine since he flew to the league's offices in New York to appeal it April 13.

Lynch was upset with the amount of the fine and vowed to fight it. The NFL said the fine was larger than usual because it was Lynch's fourth fine for improper use of his helmet. Lynch was fined $7,500 three times since the 2001 season for similar hits.

"I was certainly surprised (at the amount of the fine for the hit on Clark), and that's why we had a difference of opinion," Lynch said Jan. 5.

NFL director of football operations Gene Washington handed down the fine on Lynch in January. Alic said NFL appeals officer Jackie Slater made the final decision to uphold the fine.

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