PITTSBURGH -- The NFL fined wide receiver Plaxico Burress $5,000 on Thursday for an Oct. 27 altercation with a Baltimore player during the Oct. 27 Steelers-Ravens game.

Burress was ejected from the Steelers' 31-18 victory in Baltimore after getting into a scuffle with cornerback James Trapp, who ripped Burress' helmet off.

The fracas started when Steelers wide receiver Antwaan Randle El threw Trapp out of bounds after Trapp had intercepted a Tommy Maddox pass. Trapp arose from the sidelines in a huff, and tempers flared.

Trapp was fined $15,000 for his part in the incident.

Burress says he was just defending his teammates. Fellow receiver Hines Ward says he'll pay half of the fine because he respects what Burress did.