Brian Orakpo's 15-yard penalty for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael VIck turned the momentum in the Washington Redskins' 20-13 loss to the Eagles last weekend. It will also result in pain for Orakpo's wallet. The league fined Orakpo $15,000 for the hit, according to Rich Campbell of the Washington Times.
The play happened in the first quarter of the game. Vick had dropped back and thrown the ball away in his own end zone, which would have been a safety. Instead, the referee called a penalty on Orakpo for leading with his helmet on the hit. The Eagles never looked back from that point.
The league has placed an emphasis on removing helmet-to-helmet hits ever since a series of them shook the NFL last season. Orakpo is a first-time offender; otherwise, his fine would have likely been much greater.
For more on Orakpo and the Redskins, visit Hogs Haven.
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