Falcons linebacker fined $5,000 for taking helmet off on field
By
Posted 11:45AM on Thursday, September 26, 2002
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Atlanta Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking has been fined $5,000 by the NFL for taking off his helmet on the field during Sunday's 30-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.<br>
<br>
Brooking, who drew an unsportsmanlike penalty for the offense after Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna threw an incomplete fourth-down pass in the fourth quarter, was notified by the league of the fine Wednesday.<br>
<br>
Brooking said he was upset because defensive signals were slow coming in from the sideline.<br>
<br>
"It was a huge mistake on my part," he said. "It's my responsibility to get the plays called. ... I just lost it."<br>