Jimmie Ward felt it was a clean hit. It sounds like the NFL agrees. The San Francisco 49ers safety was not fined for his late-game hit on Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams last weekend. The officials, who may not have seen the brunt of the impact, did not penalize Ward in-game.
The NFL didn't fine #49ers S Jimmie Ward for the hit that briefly knocked #Packers WR Davante Adams out of last Sunday night's game. It was reviewed, but I'm told the NFL's Jon Runyan elected not to issue a fine because initial contact wasn't to Adams' head/neck area.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 2, 2021
"Yeah, I know how to hit pretty good," Ward told reporters after the game, per Kirk Larrabee. "Led with my shoulder. There was no flag. I always lead with my shoulder. I've got to watch the hit, but (it was) a bang-bang play. I'm glad there was no flag. Shout out to the ref."
The hit came after quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit Adams on a deep pass attempt in the fourth quarter.
"From where I was at, it looked like helmet-to-helmet," Rodgers said after the game.
Some argued that the initial replay video seemed to agree with the Packers quarterback's assessment of the play. However, as stated by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, a league review concluded the initial contact wasn't to Adams' head or neck area.
Adams briefly exited the game after the hit. While many feared a head injury, the receiver told reporters he really felt the impact to his chest and was having trouble breathing.
"It wasn't a concussion, so I went on the sideline," Adams said. "They evaluated and saw right away. I was straight."
Added Ward: "I'm happy there was no serious injury. He finished the game, and he helped close out the game for them, so I'm proud of that guy."