SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco strong safety Donte Whitner learned Tuesday he was being fined $21,000 for his hit on St. Louis Rams’ wide receiver Chris Givens in the end zone with just under six minutes to play in Thursday’s 35-11 49ers victory.
Whitner said he would appeal the stiff penalty and has made up T-shirts with #LegalHitner on the front that he will sell to drum up support.
Whitner appeared to turn his shoulder into Givens in a successful attempt to knock the ball loose. He was called for unnecessary roughness when he appeared to make contact with Givens’ helmet.
The Rams scored on the next play.
