Sources: Smith, 2 Redskins fined by NFL

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Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith has been fined $15,000 for his part in Sunday's sideline melee involving his players and members of the Washington Redskins, including former Falcon DeAngelo Hall, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

“

I want to reiterate that I'm always going to have my players' backs and I'm going to take care of them.

” -- Falcons coach Mike Smith

The near brawl in the second quarter of the Falcons' 31-17 victory amounted to four fines being doled out by the NFL's offices totaling $30,000.

Smith acknowledged that he was fined when he came off the field after a Falcons practice on Thursday, though he didn't discuss the amount.

"I received a letter from the NFL office this morning," he said. "I want to reiterate that I'm always going to have my players' backs and I'm going to take care of them."

Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was fined $5,000 for coming to the aid of teammate Hall on Atlanta's sideline, a league source told Schefter.

Hall

Haynesworth

Redskins safety LaRon Landry, who made a late hit on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan that sparked pushing and shoving on the sideline, was fined $7,500.

Hall was not fined for his role in an ensuing confrontation with Smith. Hall said after the game that Smith cursed at him and Falcons director of athletic performance Jeff Fish tried to "get some licks in" during the chaotic scene. Fish was fined $2,500.

"Just want to Thank the fans, my teammates and Organization for supporting me! Ive tried to keep my nose clean n play the game the right way," Hall wrote on his Twitter account. "Last weekends incident was unfortunate for everyone involved but the past is the past and I'm excited about getting back to FedEx Sunday!!"

Hall said on Sunday he was trying to pull Landry away from the sideline after Landry was called for his hit on Ryan. Hall and Landry immediately were surrounded by Falcons players and staff members.

Other Redskins players joined in, but much of the attention was on Hall, a former Falcon who had talked all week of being bitter at the way he was treated when traded after the 2007 season. He played in Atlanta for four years and made the Pro Bowl twice.

"I stay in Atlanta during the offseason, so if Mike Smith wants to see me, he can definitely find me," Hall said after the Falcons' victory.

Hall expressed dismay that more teammates did not come to his aid Sunday.

"I'm always ready to mix it up. And to see those guys kind of linger over there, yeah, I don't know what was going through their minds," Hall told Washington radio station 106.7 The Fan this week.

Player fines collected by the league are used to support the NFL Players Association's Players Assistance Trust as well as charitable initiatives supporting youth, education and sports-related medical research.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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