The NFL's favorite charity can thank Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Richard Seymour for helping Christmas come a month early.
Seymour was fined $25,000 for striking Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the helmet. The 300-pound lineman was ceremoniously ejected from the Raiders 35-3 humiliating loss in Pittsburgh following the hit.
Seymour struck Roethlisberger as he ran up behind him while celebrating a TD pass he just threw. But "Big Ben" was not hurt from the blow.
Some thought Seymour might get suspended for the hit but the lineman defended the shot Sunday.
"It was a lot of ongoing [stuff], and you're out there to protect yourself," he said. "It's still no excuse. I'm not sure exactly what happened on the play. I just turned around, and he just ran up on me quick. It was just natural reaction."
There was no report of a suspension to go along with the fine.
