Cardinals player is the latest in line of controversial punishments after the NFL dropped the hammer for his recent tackle

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Oct 18, 2025 8:41 PM ET

If there is any fine that makes you question the NFL's safety initiative, it would be the hip drop tackle. Simply put, the rule was instituted to prevent players from dragging a player down around the hips, with the goal of eliminating broken ankles and awkward knee injuries.

The problem is, when you're in the heat of the moment, chasing down a player from behind, unlike when you're in a position to square them up, all you are worried about is getting said player on the ground.

That was all that Arizona Cardinals LB Akeem Davis-Gaither was trying to do against the Indianapolis Colts, but it ended up costing him.

Akeem Davis-Gaither fined $17,389 for hip drop tackle

Arizona’s Akeem Davis-Gaither fined $17,389 for hip-drop tackle vs Anthony Gould. pic.twitter.com/pYaPnCoEtP
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) October 18, 2025

"Players are notified of violations and may appeal any ruling. Cases are heard by appeals officers and former NFL players, Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster or Jordy Nelson, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL/NFLPA. The decisions made are final and binding."

"The fines collected are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support Legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety, and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game."

-NFL Gameday Operations

This was the first offense by Davis-Gaither, hence the $17,389 fine opposed to a larger one. Either way, punishing a player for simply making a tackle will never make sense to me. It's one thing if a defender strikes someone up high or purposely hits a player in the head. Even if it was accidental, I can see where a fine comes into play.

But there was no ill intent from Davis-Gaither against the Colts here. There was no injury and there was no flag on the play, because even the officials couldn't tell it was anything other than a regular tackle.

And that's the problem.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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