Jared Allen fined $21,000 for hit that ended season of Bears guard
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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen was fined $21,000 for his blindside hit Sunday on Chicago guard Lance Louis, an NFL source told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Louis suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on the play and was placed on injured reserve Monday.
Allen threw the block on the opening drive of the third quarter of the Bears' 28-10 victory. On the play, Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall tipped a pass from quarterback Jay Cutler and Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield intercepted it.
Louis never saw Allen coming and Allen appeared to launch himself into the head area of Louis, who wasn't looking.
Allen insisted afterward he felt he was making a legal hit.
"He's running to make a tackle, so I just went to block him," Allen said. "I never intentionally try to hurt anybody. I turned around, he was running to make a tackle, I threw myself into him to try to make a block, just like we're taught."
"I think Coach said he hurt his knee or something after that, so my condolences to him and his family. I never, ever try to intentionally hurt anybody. Just trying to make a block and spring our guys down sidelines. That's unfortunate."
Bears coach Lovie Smith made it clear Monday he did not like Allen's approach on the block.
"Jared Allen plays the game a certain way," Smith said. "Good player. I think our game could do without that play. I am sure the league will look at it and they'll give an opinion about it."
