Is a Fine Or Suspension Coming For Harrison Smith?

Sep 29, 2013; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller (83) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safeties Harrison Smith (22) and Mistral Raymond (41) in the NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Steelers 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

During the Vikings week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, safety Harrison Smith was flagged for a 15 yard personal foul for a hit to tight end Heath Miller’s head during the third quarter.   Although Smith may be facing a fine from the league for the hit, he claims that the hit wasn’t done to try to hurt the opposing player.

"”Heath Miller had a knee injury last year, right? And as a player, as a fan, I know that. I don’t want to hit him in the knee. I want to hit him in a good area.  I try to keep my head out of it. I didn’t launch, and I don’t really know what else to do. There was a play later where I hit him lower, and I didn’t want to do it, but I had to. That might have made him mad. Ultimately, we’re trying to win the game. It’s just — it’s tough. I really don’t know what else to do in that situation. They told us even if they lowered their head, if you make contact with the helmet, that’s a fine. But that’s pretty unreasonable, in my opinion.” -Harrison Smith"

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive back Harrison Smith (22) rests during an official time out in the second quarter of the game with the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Harrison Smith is no stranger to the NFL’s reprocussions.  In his rookie season in the league, Smith was fined for both a horse collar-tackle ($15,750)  and a helmet-to-helmet hit ($21,000).  It will be interesting to see what kind of action is taken against the hard-hitting safety as a result of this most recent hit.  Smith should be prepared for a hefty fine or possibly a suspension since he is a repeat offender.