Shilo Sanders Says NFL Denied Appeal of Fine for Punch in Bucs' Preseason Game

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders said in a video that aired on his YouTube channel Friday that the NFL denied his appeal for a $4,669 fine levied when he punched ex-Buffalo Bills tight end Zach Davidson during an Aug. 23 preseason game.

"I got some bad news today," Sanders said.

"So, in the NFL, like, you play, and then the week or two weeks after, that's when they pay you. So any fines, anything that you owe the NFL, if you do something and they fine you, they take it from that, and then they pay you, so you don't even have a chance to get it yet.

"So they took my little money, but they just told me on an appeal that I'm not gonna get it back, so, I mean, it is what it is, but, you know, just to let y'all know, they actually did fine me, and that is kind of absurd, but it is what it is. The thing about it is, like, how do you fine somebody that much when the game isn't even that much? I think you get, like, $2,000 per game for preseason games. How you gonna charge me $4,000? It just don't make sense, but, you know, they seen the appeal and then they denied it, so it is what it is. It kind of sucks, you know what I'm saying? But, oh, well. I'm gonna run it up regardless."

Sanders, an undrafted free agent out of Colorado, was trying to make the Buccaneers' 53-man roster. However, he was waived the following day after the punch, which led to an ejection.

The incident occurred in the second quarter of the Bills' 23-19 preseason win.

Davidson was finishing a block downfield during a play where the Bills gained a yard on a pass from Shane Buechele to Elijah Moore. The altercation then escalated between the two, and Davidson was seen putting his hand into Sanders facemask.

Sanders fired back and threw a punch at Davidson. A referee immediately threw a flag, and Sanders was tossed after an unnecessary roughness penalty.

Sanders initially signed with the Bucs right after the NFL draft. He played six collegiate seasons at South Carolina, Jackson State and Colorado. Over his final four seasons, Sanders played for his father/head coach, Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.

Over his final two years at Colorado, Sanders amassed 137 tackles and five forced fumbles. He also had an 80-yard pick six.