OWINGS MILLS — Houston Texans defensive lineman Antonio Smith has been fined $7,500 for unnecessary roughness following his altercation with Baltimore Ravens offensive guard Andre Gurode, according to AFC spokesman Corry Rush.
Smith ripped off Gurode’s helmet on a running play during the Ravens’ 29-14 victory Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.
"Specifically, on a run play, he pulled the opponents helmet off," Rush wrote in an e-mail.
Smith was flagged 15 yards for a personal foul.
A brief fight broke out after that incident, but Gurode was restrained from going after Smith.
"He pushed me," Gurode said following the game. "I was blocking on the play and he threw a couple of punches at me. I was about to retaliate, but the referee broke us up. I was going to get him, but it’s good."
Smith acknowledged that he needs to control his temper.
"I just have to find the player that I am and harness it and control it," Smith said. "I feel like he tried to finish me off with a foul. The play was over,the running back was down.
"He tried to finish it off a little bit, and I just flipped him off. Then, it got out of hand after that. The only thing that I can do is just work and be a better man."
