Kansas City DT Chris Jones fined $10,609 for whatever he said to Colts QB Matt Ryan
INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL world at large still doesn’t know what Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones said to Indianapolis quarterback Matt Ryan to extend the Colts’ game-winning drive last week.
Whatever Jones said was determined to be “abusive language” by referee Shawn Smith in the moment and flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The NFL upheld Smith’s decision this week by fining Jones $10,609, the standard fine for unsportsmanlike conduct, a source told IndyStar this week. Smith initially called Jones’ words “abusive language” after the game, and according to NBC Sports, the game report used slightly different wording.
According to that report, Smith wrote in the game report that Smith used “disturbing language” that “has no place in professional football.”
The 15-yard penalty erased a third-down sack of Ryan that would have forced the Colts to punt. Indianapolis took the gift and ran with it, marching down the field in the next 10 plays to find rookie tight end Jelani Woods for the game-winning touchdown.
No one has revealed exactly what Jones said to Ryan, although the Kansas City defensive tackle maintains that he didn’t know he said anything out-of-bounds.
"I think it's important for the game for players to know what we can and can't say," Jones told the Kansas City Star. "I don't think I violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(c) to my understanding, but I think it's important that us as players, we know what's allowed, what can be said and what can't be said on the field. If not, then a lot more of those flags could possibly happen."
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Chiefs' Chris Jones fined for "abusive language" to Colts QB Matt Ryan
