"New England's Chad Ochocinco offered to pay the $20,000 fine levied by the National Football League against Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Mason Foster for a helmet hit during a preseason game.

Foster was breaking up a pass play to Ochocinco when he appeared to hit the Patriots wide receiver in the helmet with his shoulder and elbow during the Bucs' 31-14 preseason loss on Aug. 18.

"It's a lot, but it's all good," Foster told the Tampa Tribune when he learned of the fine yesterday. "I'll pay it and keep on going. It won't change the way I play.

''I'm going to keep playing football the way I know how to play football," Foster, who earned a reputation as a hard hitter at the University of Washington, told the Tribune.

Ochocinco addressed NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a Twitter message, saying he didn't agree with the fine and would reimburse Foster. The league told Ochocinco NFL rules prevent him from paying the fine, according to the Tribune. "