ALLEN PARK — James Ihedigbo has been fined $16,000 for unnecessary roughness in Sunday’s win over the New York Jets.

The Detroit Lions safety got the letter from the NFL just before practice on Thursday. He said he will appeal.

“It changed the mood of my day a little bit,’’ said Ihedigbo who was clearly upset.

The Detroit Lions safety said he was not penalized on the play.

“I didn’t hit (Geno Smith) in the face, it was a legal hit. They said it was unnecessary roughness,’’ Ihedigbo said. “There’s two back judge referees standing right there on the play.

“Neither of them called it and thought it was illegal,’’ Ihedigbo said. “I was within one step, it was two hands to the chest and it wasn't like i picked him up or slammed him. It was a textbook play.’’

It happened in the first series of Ihedigbo’s first game this season. He sat out the first three games with a neck injury.

It’s Ihedigbo’s seventh NFL season and not his first fine.

“I play the game a certain way and I pride myself on playing by the rules,’’ Ihedigbo said.

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