Last week, Chad Ochocinco tweeted Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Mason Foster that his first-quarter hit on the New England Patriots receiver was "great," and that Ochocinco would pay any fine the league might hand down to Foster.
That fine came Wednesday, with the league nailing Foster for $20,000. NFL rules prohibit players from paying others' fines, but that didn't stop Ochocinco from responding with a personal note to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Twitter, referring to him as "Dad."
"Dad no disrespect but I don't agree with @mason_foster fine n I'll be reimbursing him personally," @Ochocinco wrote to @nflcommish. "Please feel free to contact me."
Foster put a big hit on Ochocinco in the first quarter of the Patriots' 31-14 win Thursday, drawing a personal foul. Afterward Ochocinco tweeted: "great hit last night,if u're fined I'll reimburse u boss.That's the way the game should b played.Stay healthy n have a good yr."
Foster's agent, Steve Caric, said the fine will be appealed.
"We have the right to appeal the fine, and we are exercising that right," Caric said Wednesday night.
Mike Reiss covers the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com.