News of the fine wasn't known yesterday when an emotional Wilfork defended his actions and reputation. He said the hit was unintentional and that he deeply resented being characterized as a dirty player. Wilfork blamed a misinterpretation of the comments he made on WEEI Monday, when he said he expected to be fined and that he wasn't "losing any sleep over it," for part of the negative backlash.
"The only reason I talked about a fine is they got a rule for quarterbacks, you hit them below the waist and you are subject to a fine," said Wilfork. "A lot of people probably think Wilfork don't care; he's looking for the fine. That wasn't the fact. I got penalized for that. There are consequences.
"Now, did I mean to do that? Far from it. If you know me as a person or a player, then it wouldn't be an issue because they know I have too much love and respect for this game and for players for me to ever be a dirty player. If you don't know me, don't judge me, point blank.
"You've got a lot of people out there saying, 'That was a dirty hit.' If you don't know me, get to know me because if you know me, that won't be a question. I'm not a dirty player."
Losman and other Bills players weren't convinced. They felt Wilfork's fine wasn't enough.
"I watched the tape once and it was enough for me," Losman told Buffalobills.com, the team's website. "It was pretty nasty. It looked like he had an opportunity to pull up. He's trying to make a play for his team and it's football, but I think he got off easy."
Said Buffalo linebacker Coy Wire, "Is [$12,500] worth your starting quarterback missing however many games? I don't think so."
Wilfork said he lost his balance on the play with one Bills lineman tripping him and another at his left leg. The 6-foot-2-inch, 325-pound Wilfork said body control is a luxury he doesn't have at his weight.
"You're tripping at 300-something pounds, I have no idea what's going on," said Wilfork. "I have no idea where my arm is at. I mean, like I said, it wasn't intentional and that's the main thing I want to get out. It wasn't intentional. For everybody to say that I'm a dirty player or that was a dirty blow, not at all. Like I said, if you know me as a person, you'll understand that."
