Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu has been fined $15,000 for a horse-collar tackle on Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice during Sunday's season opener.
The tackle reportedly occurred late in the third quarter, following a 36-yard run by Baltimore running back Ricky Williams in the Ravens' 35-7 victory.
"It definitely wasn't on purpose," Polamalu told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I've never intentionally tried to horse-collar anybody."
Polamalu's teammate, cornerback Ike Taylor, was also fined $15,000. Taylor was fined for unnecessary roughness.
Specifically, Taylor was fined for unnecessarily head-butting an opponent on a run play.
Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, like Polamalu, was fined $15,000 for a horse-collar tackle committed on a special teams play.
New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle was fined $20,000 for unnecessary roughness. Rolle's fine came from spearing an opponent with his helmet.