A violent play by Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones involving Oakland Raiders rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper is expected to result in a fine, but not a suspension, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Pacman Jones expected to be fined for slamming Amari Cooper’s head
Adam “Pacman” Jones pulled off Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper’s helmet and slammed the rookie’s head during a Week 1 game.
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Jones, 31, was seen pinning Cooper down and pulling off the rookie’s helmet, then the veteran cornerback slammed the receiver’s head into the removed helmet. While multiple officials watched and a personal foul penalty was assessed, Jones was not ejected from the game, which drew criticism on Twitter from former NFL Vice President of Officiating Mike Pereira.
Jones didn’t deny his intentions after the game and told Coley Harvey of ESPN that he’ll protect himself in a scrap:
“Whatever you saw happen, that’s what happened,” Jones said. “I’m just here to play football. I don’t back down from anybody and I’m not out here trying to start anything. I’m just out here playing football.”
According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, Jones said that he was punched in the throat by Cooper, which caused the scuffle. He will also appeal any punishment he is given.
A first-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, "Pacman" Jones earned a reputation for trouble off the field and was suspended for the entire 2007 season and part of the 2008 season for violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy. After brief stints with the Dallas Cowboys and a contract in the Canadian Football League, where he never ended up playing, Jones signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010.
He has since dropped the Pacman nickname as a way to rehabilitate his image and he earned First-Team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career in 2014 as a kick returner. He received a three-year, $5.35 million contract from the Bengals in 2013 and is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2015 season.
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