In the intense Week 3 clash of the NFL season, New Orleans Saints rookie defensive tackle Khristian Boyd found himself at the center of controversy following a hit that left Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith with a concussion. The NFL has since levied a $4,600 fine on Boyd for the incident, drawing significant attention and criticism.
Critical Moment of the Game
The hit on Smith occurred during a pivotal moment in the game, significantly impacting the Eagles' strategy. Smith, who had just caught the ball and was running backwards, was blindsided by Boyd. The collision was so severe that Smith was knocked out cold, prompting an immediate wave to the training staff from Eagles player Fred Johnson.
“I'd seen him [knocked] out, and that's when I waved to the training staff, like he's out cold. It was scary. You never want to see (something) like that, especially on a play where he catches the ball, and he's running backwards for like five steps,” Johnson recounted. “It's on the refs to call that play dead, and take the necessary action when he's hit late. DeVonta's size, and so a lineman hitting him after five steps of him catching the ball, it's unprofessional. They're going to look at it and see that they need to take necessary actions.”
Controversial Non-call
Adding fuel to the fire, officials did not penalize Boyd during the game. This lack of immediate action did not sit well with many, including Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who openly criticized the referees and the opposing team.
“Man, that's the dirtiest shit I ever saw in football, bro. Y'all obviously saw that forward progression was stopped. And for them to take a cheap shot on one of our key guys, it shows what kind of team that is. They're front-runners,” Gardner-Johnson stated adamantly.
Boyd's Next Steps
In accordance with the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, the maximum fine for a first-time offender's hit on a defenseless player can reach $16,883. Boyd's fine, while substantial, was calculated at 10% of his salary cap number, slightly over $839,000, demonstrating the league's adherence to set standards while acknowledging Boyd's rookie status.
Despite the uproar, Boyd took to Instagram to express his regret over the incident, insisting that his actions were not intentional.
“I would never deliberately try to give someone a serious injury,” Boyd wrote, reaching out directly to Smith.
Smith's Path to Recovery
The aftermath of the hit has left a significant impact on Smith and the Eagles. Diagnosed with a concussion, Smith was absent from the Eagles' practice on the subsequent Wednesday. His participation in the upcoming game now hinges on successfully clearing the NFL's stringent concussion protocol, a process that will be closely monitored by the team's medical staff.
The delayed reaction from the officials has not gone unnoticed. Critics argue that the referees' inaction in the moment could have compounded the severity of Smith's injury. The fine issued to Boyd, while a form of retrospective justice, does little to mitigate the immediate physical toll on Smith or the emotional toll on the Eagles.
As the story develops, all eyes will be on how the NFL handles similar incidents moving forward and whether further regulatory changes are implemented to protect players from such dangerous hits. The conversation continues, both on and off the field, as players, coaches, and fans alike hope for a safer, more accountable league.