Jets’ Ihedigbo says he ‘lost control’ when he threw punch at Bills’ Fine

Jets’ Ihedigbo ‘lost control’ throwing punch

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets safety James Ihedigbo ‘lost control’ when he threw a punch at Buffalo’s Derek Fine, and expects to hear from the league about the incident.

Ihedigbo (EE-head-ee-bo) was blocking on the opening kickoff of overtime in the Jets’ 16-13 loss Sunday when teammate Marques Murrell knocked Fine’s helmet off and appeared to strike him in an eye. Ihedigbo then took a swing at Fine, 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 Wednesday. “It’s uncharacteristic of me and the kind of person I am and the kind of player I am.”

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

“That’s still up in the air,” Ihedigbo said. “I don’t really want to discuss what the punishment will be in terms of the league, but they’ll take action as they always do in incidents like this.”

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.