Jets’ Ihedigbo, Murrell fined $5,000 by NFL, benched 1 game by team

Jets’ Ihedigbo, Murrell fined $5K, benched 1 game

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets safety James Ihedigbo and linebacker Marques Murrell were each fined $5,000 by the NFL for their roles in a scuffle with Buffalo’s Derek Fine.

Jets spokesman Bruce Speight confirmed the fine Wednesday, and said coach Rex Ryan plans to make both players inactive and not travel for New York’s game at Oakland on Sunday.

Ihedigbo (EE-head-ee-bo) was blocking on the opening kickoff of overtime in the Jets’ 16-13 loss Sunday when Murrell knocked Fine’s helmet off and appeared to strike him in an eye. Ihedigbo then took a swing at the Bills tight end, was assessed a personal foul penalty and ejected. Murrell wasn’t penalized.

“After going back and looking at the tape, I clearly lost control for that split-second and I made a decision that I regretted and I apologized for,” Ihedigbo said. “It’s uncharacteristic of me and the kind of person I am and the kind of player I am.”

Ihedigbo said he didn’t realize he had thrown a punch until he watched it on replay after the game.

“I looked at it and was like, ‘Whoa. Did I really do that?’” Ihedigbo said.

On Monday, Ryan cryptically said “you’ll see” when asked if he would take disciplinary action against Ihedigbo. The NFL confirms fines on Fridays.

Ihedigbo spoke with Ryan and special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff about it, and he later apologized to the coaches, his teammates and his mother.

“When actions like that take place like they did Sunday, it kind of made them wonder and made me wonder,” he said. “You move forward. I made a mistake, I know I made a mistake. It’s something you’ll never see happen again from me as a player.”

Kicker Jay Feely, whose locker is next to Ihedigbo’s, put a humorous spin on it.

“He’ll be fighting Floyd Mayweather next week,” he said with a laugh.