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Wanted to save his player from a penalty: Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians
Photo:
Mark LoMoglio/AP
In the NFL, defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians has been fined for punching one of his players' football helmets.
Arians upheld the $50,000 fine and announced an appeal.
In the playoff opener last weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles (31:15), Bucs safety Andrew Adams clashed with an opponent.
Arians then rushed onto the field, punching Adams in the helmet and jostling and yelling at him.
At that point it was 17-0 for the Buccaneers around superstar Tom Brady.
According to Arians, the action was intended to prevent Adams from receiving a penalty.
"We've just had a big play, a great field position - and he's trying to snag a man from a pack formation," Arians said.
The Buccaneers meet the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday (9 p.m., TV: ProSieben; Stream: DAZN) in the divisional round, the quarterfinals of the NFL.
Last year, the team won the title in the first season after signing Tom Brady.
And this year, too, the Buccaneers are considered title candidates despite numerous injuries.
hba/Reuters
