Vikings DT Sheldon Richardson fined for hit on Jimmy Garoppolo

The Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle was fined roughly $20k on Friday for a Week 1 hit that falls under the new “Aaron Rodgers Rule.”

Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was one of the most impactful players on the defensive side of the ball in the team’s Week 1 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Richardson put on a show in the trenches, choke-slamming offensive linemen and punishing the 49ers with an elite display of aggressiveness that amounted into six tackles and a half-sack.

Of course, in today’s NFL, an aggressive effort can be considered too aggressive.

During the game, Richardson burst through the line and drove his shoulder into the chest of San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and put him on the turf. Last year, this play would have been a hard play and both teams would have gone back to the huddle. This year, it’s a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer.

On Friday, Richardson got his receipt for Sunday’s hit as he was fined $20,054 according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer. One can imagine, Richardson’s reaction to the fine would have been similar to his words he gave the media on Sunday afternoon.

"“Played football That’s it. Wasn’t dirty, wasn’t late. He just threw it, took a step and hit him,” Richardson said. “Perfect form tackle, what else do you want me to do? They want it driven by QBs like they’re the only people that get paid.”"

Richardson’s hit falls under the new rule that has been chastised during the preseason where a defender cannot drive their weight onto the quarterback during a hit. The Vikings got a taste of the new rule during the preseason when Antwione Williams was penalized for sacking Jacksonville’s Cody Kessler.

Oddly enough, this new rule was put into place partially

because of the hit Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr put on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers last season. The hit, which broke Aaron Rodgers’ collarbone and effectively ended his season, is now an illegal act this fall.

With the Minnesota Vikings slated to face Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, it will be curious to see if a similar headline comes to fruition.