Browns’ Ward hopes Bengals don’t retaliate

Associated Press

BEREA

Browns rookie safety T.J. Ward never imagined his vicious early-season hit would trigger a domino effect across the NFL.

“I kind of started it all with the fines,” Ward said, shrugging.

Ward was fined $15,000 in the days following his devastating hit on Cincinnati rookie wide receiver Jordan Shipley in the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s Oct. 3 win. The blow, which knocked out and concussed Shipley, became one of the helmet-to-helmet hits most often pointed to by the league when it cracked down on such collisions to protect players.

On Sunday, Ward hopes to speak with Shipley on Sunday before the Browns (5-8) play the Bengals (2-11), who have dropped 10 straight since losing in Cleveland. Ward wants Shipley to know that he isn’t a dirty player.

“If I get the opportunity, I might shout at him for a little bit,” Ward said. “I might just tell him it wasn’t my intent to hurt him or do anything like that, I was just playing the game. I hope he understands that. If not, I don’t know, I tried.”

Bengals fans will be tougher to convince.

“I’m expecting the worst, going to their house, especially following what happened,” he said. “Especially from the fans. I was getting called dirty player and all this, so I’m pretty sure the fans aren’t going to be too happy about seeing me.”

Following the game, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Terrell Owens both called Ward’s hit “a cheap shot.” The league felt it was excessive, too, slapping a hefty fine on Ward. Two weeks later, following a nasty hit by Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison on Browns wide receivers Mohamed Massaquoi, the league implemented a tougher policy on helmet contact.

There have been larger fines since the one given to Ward, who may be fortunate he got his out of the way.

“Compared to the $50,000 and $25,000 guys are getting, I guess it’s peanuts,” Ward said. “But it’s still a lot of money, regardless. A lot of money.”

With all their problems, the Bengals aren’t looking at getting back at Ward for motivation.