Julius Peppers, starting defensive end for the Chicago Bears, is rumored to have been fined $10,000 for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The hit also apparently drew blood as seen on the television broadcast.
The hit, which didn’t cause Rodgers to miss any playing time, did cause the refs to flag Peppers for roughing the passer.
Rodgers would finish the game, a 21-14 Packers victory, by completing 17 of his 30 passes for 244 yards. He didn’t throw a touchdown pass, but did end up with two interceptions charged to him. He also rushed seven times for 39 yards and a touchdown.
Peppers, who switched between left and right defensive end to exploit mismatches, recorded just two tackles and zero sacks in the game.
The Bears are done until next season while the Packers will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in next week’s Super Bowl 45.