Too much off-season contact lands Seahawks in hot water

What began as a scuffle between two Seattle Seahawks ended this week with a hard slap from the NFL.

The league has penalized the Super Bowl champions for allowing players to hit each other in what was supposed to be a non-contact practice during a June mini-camp. According to multiple reports, the Seahawks were fined more than $300,000 and were docked two mini-camp practices in 2015.

Coach Pete Carroll reportedly was fined roughly $100,000, with the team being assessed the other $200,000.

According to the NFL, the violation “was for permitting the club’s players to engage in excessive levels of on-field physical contact during the team’s 2014 mandatory mini-camp for veteran players.”

The situation might have gone unnoticed by the league but for reports of a fight between cornerback Richard Sherman and receiver Phil Bates. The NFL reportedly requested a video of the workout and determined the Seahawks were allowing too much hitting.

This marks the second time in three years the Seahawks have been penalized for breaking league rules for off-season practices. The team was determined to have broken contact rules in 2012 as well.