METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Saints safety Roman Harper says he does not regret a late hit on Carolina receiver Steve Smith that drew a $15,000 fine from the NFL this week.

Harper says the fine was worth it and that his decision to shove Smith as the receiver slowly crossed the goal line last Sunday was good for his team and got his point across.

Harper had said after Sunday’s 30-27 Saints victory that if a player is going to score on the Saints, he’s not going allow anyone to just “walk it in” the end zone.

Smith says he slowed down not to disrespect anyone, but because he wanted to decelerate comfortably without concerning himself with padded walls surrounding the end zone.

Harper’s shove incited a brief scrum between the two teams.