Lewis fined for hit on Ochocinco

OWINGS MILLS, Md., Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis was fined $25,000 by the NFL Friday for a helmet-to-helmet hit last Sunday on Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.

Lewis hit Ochocinco as he went across the middle of the field, knocking the Cincinnati player to the ground and his helmet off. Game officials assessed a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on Lewis.

That penalty was one of three called on the Ravens during a fourth-quarter drive that ended in the winning points of the Bengals' 17-14 victory at Baltimore.

Ochocinco earlier this week sent a message via Twitter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell asking the Lewis not be fined for the play since "it was a clean hit."

The NFL Network said the fine, in addition to being related to the Ochocinco hit, also concerned a play in which Lewis kicked a different Cincinnati player.

ESPN.com said Lewis is expected to appeal the fine.