49ers linebacker fined for hit on Saints QB

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees on Sunday. Brooks’ agent, Greg Williams, said his client would appeal the penalty - the standard fine for such hits to the head and neck area.

Brooks leveled Brees, forcing a lost fumble. But the personal foul penalty kept the ball in the Saints’ possession, and they soon kicked two late field goals to win, 23-20. The tackle left Brees with blood on his chin.

Brooks vehemently argued against the penalty, saying he didn’t use his hands or helmet and called it a “bear hug.” Brees labeled the hit a clothesline tackle. Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers coach, reiterated Monday that he thought the hit was clean.

“Our interpretation was, when we grade a player, if he’s got a penalty we give him a minus, but we did not assign a minus on that play,” Harbaugh said Monday.

“The play occurred that occurred. I thought Ahmad hit at the right level, hit at the shoulder level. The quarterback kind of shrunk down and that’s the official’s call to make. I’m going to see it the way I see it and that’s going to be a slanted view. I really don’t know much more to say about that.”

The linebacker also was fined $12,750 for a roughing-the-passer call against Aaron Rodgers during the season opener against Green Bay.