NFL Announces Heftiest Punishment for Seahawks Star

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 5:18 PM ET

Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams has had an incredible NFL career thus far and is coming off his best year in the league in 2024. Williams made the Pro Bowl last season while totaling 64 tackles with 11 sacks, 16 tackles-for-loss and one pick-six.

Williams was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the New York Jets after spending three years with the USC Trojans. He spent five years with the Jets before being traded to the New York Giants and spending five years with them.

Now, in his third year with the Seahawks, and 12th season overall in the NFL, the 31-year-old has had a good impact on Seattle's defensive front through the first five games.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates after defeating the Arizona Cardinals© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Williams and the Seahawks are coming off a heartbreaking 38-35 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday. In the game, Williams had four total tackles, with one of them being solo.

His play wasn't the biggest story of Williams' game, though, as he was given an unnecessary roughness penalty with less than one minute to play in the third quarter. This penalty was called because Williams headbutted Bucs tight end Cade Otton, after a play was over after the two exchanged words.

Because of this penalty, Williams was fined $46,371, according to the NFL's website.

The NFL fined #Seahawks DE Leonard Williams $46,371 for this headbutt that got flagged in last week’s loss to Tampa Bay. pic.twitter.com/n8Zb1fZbjN
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 11, 2025

Williams was one of 13 players who were fined by the NFL for penalties in Week 5 of the season. His fine, however, was for more money than any other player, as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy's punishment of $17,389 came in second.

This was the second time Williams has been fined by the NFL this season. He was fined $23,186 after another unnecessary roughness penalty in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints.

Williams and the Seahawks (3-2) will head to EverBank Stadium to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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