49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin complained about the officiating in last Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, saying “that crap” cost the team another game.
Boldin’s comments got some support when the league chose not to fine linebackers Dan Skuta and Patrick Willis for hits on Arizona quarterback Drew Stanton that were flagged during the game. But the 49ers committed a slew of penalties during the game and some of them did run afoul of the league.
PFT has confirmed with the league that Boldin’s head butt on Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson was one of them. Boldin has been fined $8,268 for the infraction, which helped force the 49ers into a field goal attempt that Cardinals defensive tackle Tommy Kelly blocked on the way to a comeback win for Arizona.
That drive, which straddled the third and fourth quarters, also saw right tackle Jonathan Martin get flagged for clipping. Martin was fined the same amount as Boldin. Safety Eric Reid rounded out the fine recipients in Santa Clara as he drew additional discipline from the league for a facemask penalty in the first quarter.
Penalties have been a big problem for the 49ers early this season. We’ll see if the financial slaps on the wrist slow them down.
