National Football League

Ray Lewis fined for hit on Hines Ward

Published Nov. 9, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis says he was fined by the NFL for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward in Sunday night's game.

Lewis hit Hines in the second quarter of Baltimore's 23-20 win. Ward was dazed by the collision and helped off the field. He did not return.

Lewis said Wednesday he was informed by the NFL that he would be fined for the hit. He would not disclose the amount of the fine.

The 16-year veteran says he understands the league's effort to protect players. But Lewis says ''it won't change not one way how I play this week no matter what the fine is.''

The linebacker says ''you can't stop playing defense the way defense has always been created to play.