Panthers LB Beason fined $5,000 for facemask

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason has been fined $5,000 by the NFL for grabbing Detroit Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper by the facemask on a play that didn't result in a penalty.

Beason stopped Culpepper on his tying 2-point conversion attempt midway through the fourth quarter on Sunday. Replays showed Beason grabbed Culpepper by the facemask and his head twisted. But there was no flag and the Panthers went on to win 31-22.

A league spokesman said Friday night that Beason was fined for unnecessary roughness.

(ap.com)