By Moses Joshua 
Pro Bowl Receiver Faces $12,171 Penalty After On-Field Altercation, Eyes Primetime Bounce-Back
NFL Hits St. Brown With Substantial Fine
The Detroit Lions (6-3) are gearing up for one of the most pivotal games of their 2025 season: a Sunday Night Football clash against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles (7-2). But before kickoff, the team received some unwelcome news.
Star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has been fined $12,171 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness stemming from an altercation during last week’s 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders. The incident involved St. Brown and Commanders defender Daron Payne, who was ejected and later suspended after retaliating during the confrontation.
According to video footage, St. Brown initiated the skirmish with a small strike toward Payne. While he avoided ejection, the league determined the action warranted a financial penalty. “The NFL reportedly took the full context of the incident into account when issuing penalties,” sources said.
St. Brown Breaks Down the Incident
Speaking on his podcast with his brother, St. Brown explained the events leading to the fine.
“Payne comes out and bumps me, I’m like, what the [explicit]? So I hit him and he starts talking [explicit]. Then I hit him again, I accidentally hit him in the face,” St. Brown recounted.
Despite the altercation, St. Brown delivered a solid performance, finishing the game with five receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown, helping the Lions secure a decisive victory.
Focus Shifts to Eagles Showdown
While the fine is a setback, St. Brown’s focus is now firmly on Sunday night’s primetime matchup. The Eagles, with a 7-2 record, represent one of the toughest challenges the Lions will face this season. Detroit knows a win against Philadelphia could solidify their place as NFC contenders and inch them closer to a historic Super Bowl run—something the franchise has yet to achieve.
For St. Brown, the fine is a reminder of the intensity of NFL competition, but it won’t distract him from his ultimate goal: helping the Lions climb to the top of the NFC.
“We’ve got a huge game coming up. That’s what my mind is on. We’re focused on the Eagles, and we’re ready to go,” a determined St. Brown said.