Rams LB Byron Young fined for unflagged facemask on Vikings QB Sam Darnold that sealed the win
The NFL has fined the Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young post his controversial hit on the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback.
Sam Darnold, Byron Young (Image via Imago/X)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young was fined $7,014.19 for a facemask tackle. The tackle charged at Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold came in the closing minutes of Minnesota’s defeat to the Rams on October 24 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The play resulted in a safety against the Vikings quarterback, sealing the Rams’ 30-20 victory. With just over 1:30 left in the fourth quarter, the Vikings were down by eight points and needed both a touchdown and a two-point conversion to force overtime.
Following the loss, which moved the Vikings to a 5-2 record, Darnold did not attribute the defeat solely to the missed call. Sam Darnold had to suffice with ‘it is what it is” for yet another week.
Referee Tra Blake explained to a pool reporter after the game that none of the officials had a clear view of the facemask, preventing them from making the call.
The NFL fined #Rams LB Byron Young $7,014.19 for grabbing #Vikings QB Sam Darnold’s facemask last Thursday night.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 2, 2024
No flag was thrown, and the resulting safety sealed L.A.’s win.pic.twitter.com/bAbSRBrNkj
As it stands, the NFL lacks a mechanism to revisit and reverse missed penalty calls, prompting Vikings fans to ponder the “What ifs?” after the team’s second consecutive defeat since their impressive 5-0 start. Additionally, Darnold, the starting quarterback, has been linked with a trade soon.
Vikings RB Aaron Jones and Ivan Pace Jr. also fined by the management
The Vikings who started the season in glory have lost two games in quick succession. They lost a crucial game against the division toppers Detroit Lions followed by a loss against the Rams. Sam Darnold, who has been playing explosively, had two of his teammates also fined by the NFL.
In addition to Byron Young, two Vikings players: linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. and running back Aaron Jones were also fined. Pace received a $5,120 fine for a facemask penalty on Rams running back Kyren Williams in the first quarter. Officials flagged this infarction during the Rams’ opening drive, which ended in a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
Running back Aaron Jones was fined $11,817 for a low block during the Vikings’ opening drive. Although no penalty was called on the play, it contributed to a 5-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to Josh Oliver, giving the Vikings the first points of the game.
Mohammed Bazim
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