The National Football League has fined Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor $17,000 after spitting in the face of Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman. Taylor and Pittman got into a scuffle after a play, and Pittman was shown slapping Taylor's helmet. The referee flagged Taylor, not Pittman though, for the foul. A little bit later on, it was reported that the referee saw Taylor spit in Pittman's face.

The Redskins survived without Taylor with an excellent defensive effort after he was ejected from their game. They didn't get a lot of offense, but Taylor's fumble recovery from his own teammate may have been the difference.
inconclusive.

"If that took place, we understand the penalties," Gibbs said. "We understand somebody being taken out of the game. Sean is so valuable to us. I had a long talk with him afterward, and he understands that. He's all football. He wants to play. He's one of our leaders. He's had an outstanding year. He's very valuable to us. We can't afford to lose somebody like that."

Taylor has already received a few fines in his young career. He was accused of spitting at Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh last year, but there was no visual evidence of it.

Despite Taylor's troubles, his teammated do not feel he is a bad guy.

"He's turned his life around," said Redskins' defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin. "He's been a more positive guy. He's been a great role model on the field."