According to Pro Football Talk, the NFL fined San Francisco 49ers safety Jimmie Ward a hefty sum of $20,000 for unnecessary roughness on his hit on Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in last weekend's NFC Championship Game. The play came in the fourth quarter after Beckham hauled in a 29-yard pass from Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Officials penalized the 49ers 15 yards as a result of the hit.

The league did not fine Fred Warner for his hit on Stafford following an interception by Ward in the first quarter. The impact sent the Rams quarterback to the ground. After the game, the 49ers' star linebacker apologized for the incident.

"I wanted to address my hit on Stafford early in the game after Jimmie's interception," Warner said. "You guys have watched me for a long time. I'm never doing anything out of malicious intent. I watched the video. It really looks bad.

"There's a lot of things going on after the play. I was in pursuit of Jimmie, and he was just in my way. I made the hit, but obviously, looking back, I feel bad about it. You guys know that's not the type of player I am, so I wanted to apologize for that."

Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey was fined $15,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct while "freaking out at the officials and throwing his helmet," per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.


Rapoport also points out Ramsey's actions toward Robbie Gould at the end of the first half as the 49ers kicker connected on a 38-yard field goal attempt as time expired, giving San Francisco a 10-7 lead.



There was a report that Ramsey had an issue with what became a postseason pre-game ritual for Gould. The 49ers' veteran kicker was still practicing field goal attempts as the Rams were introduced, sailing footballs over their heads before being pulled away. However, Ramsey hasn't commented on or explained the peculiar confrontation with the 39-year-old kicker.


The NFL also fined Rams wide receiver Ben Skowronek $4,000 for an illegal hit.

The Rams won the game 20-17 and will represent the NFC in Super Bowl LVI against the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.

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