IN BRIEF : 16 Broncos Fined for Brawl on Field

DENVER — The National Football League has fined 16 Denver Broncos players a total of $12,500 for participating in an on-field brawl during Denver’s regular-season finale against the New England Patriots in December.

NFL spokesman Peter Abitante also said Wednesday that an undisclosed number of Patriots players were fined as well for their roles in the chaotic final minutes of the Broncos 21-10 victory at Mile High Stadium.

While the NFL did not release the names of the players involved, the Denver Post reported that Broncos tight end Clarence Kay, who was ejected for fighting with Patriots linebacker Lawrence McGrew, received the stiffest fine, $1,500. The other players were fined $1,000 or $500, the Post said.

Guard Keith Kartz, who reportedly was fined $500, said he considers the fine a “joke” and plans to appeal.

“I wasn’t involved in any fight at all,” Kartz said Wednesday. “I was on the field, but that was it. I just wanted to get the hell out of there. We were way ahead, and I was tired. It’s a joke, the way I see it.”