Vikings' Smith ejected for shoving ref, apologizes

Minnesota Vikings rookie safety Harrison Smith should expect to hear from Roger Goodell's office later this week.

The first-round pick from Notre Dame was ejected in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans after shoving a referee following a skirmish with Titans receiver Nate Washington.

Following an Antoine Winfield interception, Smith and several Titans players kept jawing at each other as officials tried to break up the group. Restrained by one official, Smith attempted to push him to the side to get back towards the fray.

It won't help Smith that Goodell was in the audience at the Metrodome. Smith already received a $21,000 fine for an illegal hit earlier in the preseason.

"I've lost my head before," Smith said, via Tom Pelissero of ESPN Twin Cities, "but I've never had an incident with an official. I completely apologize for that. ...

"Right after I moved the ref, I realized it was a ref, and I realized that that was stupid and I should never do that, Smith said. "Stupid by me. I should never put the officials in a position like that. I should never touch them. I know that."