Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith has been fined on Friday for his helmet to helmet hit on New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara in last Thursday night's game.

The fine does come a bit late considering how blatant Smith's hit on Kamara was. While Smith is not a dirty player in any sense, actually the opposite for a player who has overcome great adversity in the early stages of his NFL career. Smith has not taken any snap for granted and plays the game with a chip on his shoulder after suffering a severe knee in his final season at Notre Dame.\

Archer reported that Smith stated the following on Thursday.

“It’s the last gladiator sport. As I was going to tackle him, he turned his body at the last second, and I hit him. I hit him. I put my arms out to hit him, and there was some contact. But, like I said, it’s the game that we love and definitely no intentions to play the game the wrong way. I’ve been taught well.”

Smith will likely not be victim of too many of these fines considering how great of a tackler he is. His speed is incredible for a player at his position and considering the Cowboys were able to get Smith in the second round of the 2016 draft, they seemingly struck gold. Smith will have to take the fine and learn from it, but his character does not suggest this will be a trend for the young linebacker.