Nov 26, 2008 2:10 pm US/Eastern
Light Fined, Not Suspended For Crowder Fight
By Howard Ulman, AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) ―
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Matt Light walks off the field after being ejected in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins Sunday.
Doug Benc/Getty Images
Matt Light of New England and Channing Crowder of Miami were fined $15,000 apiece by the NFL on Wednesday for what the league called "a verbal and physical altercation" last Sunday.
Neither will be suspended, the league said.
Light punched Crowder several times after the Miami linebacker shoved him on a Patriots field goal late in a 48-28 win over the Dolphins.
"That matter is kind of a closed deal now," Light said after the decision was announced.
"Obviously, I'm not happy with what my actions were and I don't think that was the way to go. But, in my mind, it's a closed deal now.
"They've made a decision on it and we're going to move forward and get ready to play a good Steelers team. I think that's where everybody's concentration should be right now and I think that's definitely where mine is at this point."
Light will be at his usual left tackle spot Sunday against Pittsburgh, which leads the AFC with 37 sacks.
"It'll be great to have Light out there and I'm happy they came up with that ruling," Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel said.
"Especially as a quarterback, you love your left tackle and especially Matt Light. He's such a great player."
Light, an eight-year veteran, made the Pro Bowl the past two seasons.
Gene Washington, the NFL's director of football operations, assessed the fines after reviewing the tussle between the players.
It occurred after Light blocked Crowder, whose helmet fell off, on Stephen Gostkowski's 30-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.
Light and Crowder pushed each other in the face before Light grabbed Crowder's dreadlocks in his left hand and hit him three times on the head with his right.
Crowder broke free and ran away with a huge grin. Both received personal foul penalties and were ejected.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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