Jets' Calvin Pryor believes $25K fine too high for first offense

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. --New York Jets safety Calvin Pryorwasfined $25,000 by the NFL for hitting Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin above the neck/shoulder area in Week 4. On Wednesday, Pryor said he will appeal the fine because he believes the amount is excessive for a first-time offender.

"I don't know if it was a clean hit or not, but I don't think it was worth $25,000," Pryor said.

Pryor was penalized for unnecessary roughness on the play -- a 37-yard reception in the Jets' 27-17 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday. Baldwin got up slowly but finished the game.

Explaining what happened, Pryor said he turned late and tried to lower his target, but he "was already falling, so it was kind of hard. It was a bang-bang play."

According to the league's fine schedule, a first-time offender can be fined $24,309 for a hit on a defenseless player.

Pryor has a reputation as a fierce hitter, but he disputed the notion that he's a cheap-shot artist.

"I'm a clean hitter," he said. "I never got flagged for any hit. This is my first one, dating back to high school, college, anything. I was kind of surprised (by the fine), but it is what it is."

The fine marked Pryor's first career penalty, according to NFL stats. He entered the league as a first-round pick in 2014.

Asked what he believes would be a fair fine amount, he said: "Zero. I'm thinking about my daughter, my family and the [things] I could do with $25,000. I'll see what they say and keep playing football."