Bears' Bostic fined for hit
Chicago Bears rookie linebacker Jon Bostic received a $21,000 fine on Wednesday for lowering his head while hitting San Diego Chargers wide receiver Mike Willie in a preseason game last Thursday, according to multiple reports.
Bostic hit Willie in the chest area on a short pass in the Bears' 33-28 win. The force of the blow caused Willie to drop the ball. No penalty was called.
Teammate and fellow Bears linebacker Lance Briggs confirmed the news Wednesday morning when he tweeted, "Bostic's hit illegal. Hit on Dustin Keller. Legal."
Keller, a tight end for the Miami Dolphins, is out for the season after suffering a knee injury on a low hit that the NFL considers legal by Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger in a preseason game last weekend.
Bostic took over as the Bears' No. 1 middle linebacker after D.J. Williams sustained a calf injury early in training camp. He has a $405,000 base salary this season.
Bostic will have the option to appeal the fine.
