Charged with unnecessary roughness for hitting Cowboys’ WR in the second quarter was strong safety
Jordan Whitehead, a seasoned strong safety, paid a high price in the New York Jets‘ 30-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Whitehead allegedly received a $21,855 punishment from the National Football League for uncalled roughness during a red-zone play in the second quarter. As there was no penalty call, Dallas settled for a field goal one play later.
Jordan Whitehead tackle
Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ quarterback, connected with receiver Michael Gallup for a three-yard gain out on the left side as the team faced a 3rd-and-7 from the Jets’ 20-yard line. At the 17-yard line, Jets cornerback D.J. Reed grabbed Gallup by the legs and started to wrestle the pass-catcher to the ground.
Whitehead, who was helping to complete the tackle, sprinted in from centerfield at the same time. Although the defensive back tried to lead with his shoulder, it appears that he made helmet-to-helmet contact, which resulted in the postgame fine.
Whitehead shares his reaction on social media
On the social networking platform formerly known as Twitter, Whitehead made an effort to defend his behavior. The seasoned ballhawk re-posted a video of the hit on his @jwhite_333 X account with the remark,
“Look at the rear view u can see me utilize my shoulder… He attempted to leave at the last minute, but I can’t help him.”
Look at the back view u can see me use my shoulder … I can’t help he tried to get down at the last minute https://t.co/m8fCSIHbog
— jordan whitehead (@jwhite_333) September 23, 2023
At Dallas, the 26-year-old Whitehead recorded a game-high nine tackles. Josh Allen, the Jets’ quarterback, was intercepted three times during the team’s victory over the Buffalo Bills in the season opener.
John Franklin-Myers of the Jets was accused of roughing the passer on a third-down incomplete pass in the end zone late in the second quarter, but the NFL did not impose a penalty on him. The Cowboys scored a touchdown to extend their advantage to 18-7 after obtaining a fresh set of downs.
