NEW YORK, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- The NFL Wednesday fined defensive back Ronde Barber of Tampa Bay $30,000 for striking an official in last Sunday's game against the New York Jets.
Barber, a nine-year veteran out of Virginia, accidentally struck umpire Butch Hannah in the eye during a confrontation with Jets center Kevin Mawae in the second quarter of the contest.
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The league said the fine was for "impermissible physical contact with a game official."
"I promise you that he meant no harm by that incident," Coach Jon Gruden said on Wednesday. "This should in no way symbolize what he is all about."
Barber is second on the Buccaneers with 27 total tackles. He has added one interception and one sack in four games.
