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NFL fines Suh $100K for illegal block

The NFL fined Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh $100,000 but avoided a suspension for diving at Minnesota Vikings center John Sullivan's knees during an interception return by Lions teammate DeAndre Levy in Sunday's 34-24 victory over the Vikings.

NFL vice president of football operations Merton Hanks informed Suh of the news on Tuesday. The fine comes from violating Rule 12, Section 2, Article 5 (a), which prohibits blocks below the waist after a change of possession.

The block, which cost Suh a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, was well behind the play and nullified what would have been a defensive touchdown. Sullivan, who underwent microfracture surgery on his knees during the offseason, was not injured on the play.

Suh denied after the game that he was going after Sullivan's knees. "He knows that," Suh said after the game. "We had a great conversation running out at halftime, and he understood. My aim was his waist to cut him off.

However, Suh is no stranger to NFL discipline. He was fined $30,000 a year ago for kicking Houston quarterback Matt Schaub, and was suspended for two games for stomping on Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith's arm during a Thanksgiving Day game in 2011.