Three players were fined for penalties in season finale

The NFL announced Friday that they fined the New England Patriots defensive back James Sanders, Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chike Okeafor and St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long each $7,500 for violation to league rules during Sunday’s season finale.

The reason for the fine to Sanders was unnecessary roughness. He hit a defenseless receiver wearing the Houston Texans jersey during last week’s loss to the Texans. The Texans player was hit on the back was he was falling in a try to make a catch in the end zone.

Okeafor and long’s fines were for similar reason. Okeafor hit Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn with a facemask during last Sunday’s game, and Long was fined because he had a head-butt to San Francisco 49ers tackle Chris Patrick.