Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs has claimed that the hit that saw teammate Jon Bostic slapped with a $21,000 (£13,500) fine earlier today was legal.
Bostic was handed the fine for a hit on San Diego Chargers wide receiver Mike Willie during a pre-season match, although the rookie was not flagged by officials during the play.
Briggs thought that the on-field referees got the decision right, and believes that 100% of players in the league would agree that the hit was within the rules.
"The league thought that was an illegal hit; I disagree. I think that if you ask around the league, probably 100% of the league's going to say it was a legal hit, but it's not my call," Briggs told reporters.
"You have to continue to play football the best way you know how and that's what he was doing. None of the referees seemed to think there was anything wrong with the play, guy coming in, first defence. Not my call.
"He could have allowed the receiver to run him over, that's another technique. We could play the catch technique, we could take a charge. All I saw on the play was receiver was coming in, full flow, defence coming out there, Bostic with a head's up play and not only did he make the hit, he jarred the ball loose."
The Bears will begin their regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 8.
Barney Corkhill
