By Moses Joshua 
Rachaad White faces steep punishment for helmet violation against Detroit’s Erick Hallett — marking his second offense in as many seasons.
NFL Drops the Hammer on Buccaneers RB Rachaad White
The NFL has issued its largest fine of Week 7, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White finds himself at the center of it. White was fined $46,371 for unnecessary roughness and illegal use of the helmet during Monday night’s matchup against the Detroit Lions, specifically on a hit against Lions safety Erick Hallett.
While the play went unpenalized on the field, league officials later reviewed it and determined that White had violated one of the NFL’s strictest player-safety rules. Replay footage showed White lowering his head and initiating forcible contact with his helmet, a clear breach under the league’s rulebook.
According to the NFL’s guidelines:
“It is a foul if a player lowers his head and makes forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent, or uses any part of his helmet or facemask to butt or make forcible contact to an opponent.”
Notably, the rule applies to both offensive and defensive players, a detail that sometimes gets overlooked in live game action.
Repeat Offender Status Doubles the Cost
The staggering amount of White’s fine wasn’t arbitrary — it reflects his status as a repeat offender. The Buccaneers’ star was previously fined $45,020 last season for a nearly identical infraction during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Under current NFL policy, a first offense for impermissible use of the helmet carries a fine of $23,186, while a second or subsequent violation jumps to $46,371. That makes this one of the most expensive in-game penalties the league can hand down, rivaled only by fines for fighting or assaulting an official.
Player-safety initiatives have been a major emphasis for the league, and repeat violations of helmet rules are viewed as serious risks to both the offender and their opponents.
Lions Player Also Penalized in Aftermath
While White’s fine grabbed the headlines, the Detroit Lions also had one player penalized after the game. Defensive end Tyrus Wheat was hit with a $5,722 fine for an uncalled tripping infraction on a late sack of Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Though minor in comparison to White’s massive penalty, the league’s postgame discipline underlines how closely officials continue to review player conduct even after the final whistle.
A Costly Lesson in a Physical Matchup
The Week 7 contest between the Lions and Buccaneers was marked by intense, physical play — and now, steep consequences. The league’s disciplinary decisions reaffirm its ongoing push to enforce stricter helmet-contact rules and protect players from dangerous hits.
For Rachaad White, it’s another costly reminder of how expensive those split-second decisions on the field can become — both for his wallet and his reputation.