Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is regarded as one of the league’s toughest runners. While tough running is typically rewarded in the game of football, Pacheco’s aggression saw him punished by the NFL on Saturday.

The NFL fined Pacheco $45,020 for unnecessary roughness, saying the Chiefs RB lowered his helmet into cornerback Kristian Fulton during Sunday’s Week 14 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The incident, which occurred after a short screen pass from superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the second quarter, looked like a routine football play. The officiating crew did not throw a flag on the play.

The NFL fined #Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco $45,020 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet) on this play last week. No flag was thrown. pic.twitter.com/mJrBBpuDig — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 14, 2024 Football fans are not happy with this punishment decision from the NFL. “So he got fined for playing football? Got it,” one fan wrote. “45k for playing football?” another asked.

“The NFL gets softer every year,” another added. “The league takes significant amounts of money out of players pockets just because they can,” another said.

Pacheco when Andy Reid announced last week’s fines. pic.twitter.com/TZsbnKkvfB — Mitchel Inkrott (@Mitchel_Inkrott) December 14, 2024 Pacheco returned to action in the Chiefs’ Week 13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders after breaking his fibula during Week 2 of the 2024 season.

In Sunday’s win over the Chargers, the third-year running back took 14 carries for 55 yards and reeled in two catches for six yards.

Pacheco and the 12-1 Chiefs will face off against the Cleveland Browns in a Week 15 matchup on Sunday.