The NFL has fined San Francisco 49ers linebacker $28,075 for unnecessary roughness in last weekend's regular-season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.
Alexander was ejected at the end of the first quarter for leading with his helmet during a hit on Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston. It was ruled a personal foul, and the linebacker left the field for the team's locker room.
"I was surprised because when I hit him, I thought he was still up," Alexander said after the game. "He pumped-faked the ball first. I would never do that. I'm not a dirty player like that. I play the game right, so it was never intentional."
Mark Nzeocha entered the game at SAM linebacker, and Dre Greenlaw moved over to the WILL spot. Nzeocha ended up hauling in an interception off a Winston-thrown pass in the second quarter.
Alexander played his first four NFL seasons with the Buccaneers before joining the 49ers in March and received the game ball after the win despite being ejected early in the game.
"It was nice to give Kwon the ball even though he only played a quarter with us," head coach Kyle Shanahan said. "I know it's a big deal for him coming home to Tampa. He did a lot of good things here (in Tampa) and played a lot of good ball in that stadium. I know it was a big deal for him, and I know it was hard on him to only get to play the first quarter, but I think guys were pumped up we were able to win it for him, and give him the game ball."
Alexander then turned around and gave the ball to his teammates.
"They worked for it. They played hard today," Alexander said. "They had my back. They told me they were going to have my back, and they went and did their job. They did what they said."
Added Shanahan, "We'll review the tape, and slow it down, and figure out how to coach him on that. So I'm sure he did deserve the penalty."
