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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly says he didn’t get a personal apology from the league, which has admitted it made a mistake when referees ejected the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year from Sunday’s 38-17 loss at Green Bay. That wasn’t his goal. “I didn’t get fined," Kuechly said on Thursday, his first public comment on the league admitting a mistake was made. “That was the big news, and that’s what I was hoping for, so that made me happy." “It put a big smile on my face, and that’s all I could really hope for." Kuechly swung his arm as he was being restrained from behind by back judge Steve Freeman with 1:39 left in the third quarter. Kuechly said he wasn’t aware it was Freeman that grabbed him, adding he simply was trying to free himself from the scrum when he made contact with the official. He said there was no malicious intent or attempt to make contact with an official. Coach Ron Rivera said the league contacted him on Tuesday to say Kuechly shouldn’t have been ejected and that he wouldn’t be fined. “What it came down to was I didn’t get fined, and I appreciate that," Kuechly said. “I was hoping for one thing and one thing only, and not to get fined. I’m very pleased with that."
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