Fines in the NFL
Posted: Wednesday, March 23, 2005
by david trent
This is the moment where heroes are made. It’s the last play of the big game, with little time left and 20 or so yards to go. This game alone decides who is the best of the best and it rest on one play. The ball is snapped to the quarterback who hands it off. Pushing as hard as possible the running back twist, turns and some how powers his way to the end zone for the game winning touchdown. Knowing he would win the game the player waves goodbye to the other players who are trying to stop him. This situation is what dreams are made of. 80,000 fans erupt in exhilaration because their home teams just did the impossible. This moment will go down in history and so will the running back that made it happen. However, the NFL doesn’t totally agree with the celebration. For his winning efforts he receives a $20,000 fine for waving at the other team. How is it that a man could win the big game and be idolized by millions but, is punished for it?
This year the NFL has decided to crack down on celebrations made by players. Many believe that there are no individuals in this team sport and that every player on the field is equal. Well I hate to state the obvious but some players are better then others. If one guy breaks a record or excels above everyone else why shouldn’t they be allowed to express themselves? Joe Horn of the New Orleans Saints was fined this year for scoring a touchdown, pulling out a cell phone, and calling someone on the field. The NFL saw it as poor sportsmanship and a disgrace to the game and worthy of a $30,000 fine. That was Joe’s second of four touchdowns that game breaking a record. This individual did not hurt any person on that field but was slapped on the wrist for being insulting and celebrating his success. Some football games are a complete blowout by one team dominating another. However, the NFL thinks a cell phone call hurts a team more then being shut-out. These players are some of the toughest men on the planet, do you mean to tell me they go home and cry because of these celebrations. If the NFL thinks so then I would gladly take millions of dollars to be pointed at.
Some fines the NFL institutes are necessary to ensure the safety of the players, such as the $50,000 fine given to Philadelphia Eagle’s safety Brain Dawkins. Dawkins used his helmet to hit a receiver which violates rule 12, section 2, article 8 of the Offical NFL rule book. The NFL was 100% correct by acting on this issue and the punishment given. On the other hand Chad Johnsons $10,000 fine for holding up a sign shouldn’t even be considered a problem. Johnson was fined multiple times this past year for uniform and celebrations infringements. So he held up a sign after scoring the winning touchdown that stated “please don’t fine me again NFL," so much for that request. Celebrations have always been a part of the game but this year the NFL decided to turn the light switch off. It is not an uncommon penalty of unsportsmanlike-like conduct to be issued after a large celebration in the end zone. Penalties are one thing, but fines are in a totally different section.
Some players have promoted their careers by receiving fines and their reactions towards the NFL’s decisions. This is very evident today because the name Terrell has spread like wild fire. Philadelphia Eagle’s new receiver Terrell Owens has definitely made a name for himself this year scoring 14 touchdowns and running for over 1200 yards this season. However, his excellent numbers only nudged him into the spot light. His actions are what really put the audience’s focus upon this individual. From his crazy celebrations after each touchdown to his mouthing off on the side lines, Terrell Owens has received attention from the fans and the NFL. He was fined in one game for pulling out a sharpie and signing a football after scoring. Another game he was fined just for his celebrations. The whole time in the spot light Owens has been all smiles. These fines produced by the NFL have pushed Owens to be a superstar and one of the most feared receivers there is.
All these fines for celebrations have not scared players to stop performing to their best, but have pushed them even more. It is silly to think that a man viewed by millions can’t be happy from winning a game. Sending players to their rooms for a time out doesn’t really affect grown men. Fines in the NFL should be thought of as harsh punishments and should be saved for bad performances. Career ending hits and intentions to harm other players are respectable situations for fines and actions of the NFL. Its 2005 now, times are changing, players are raising the bar higher and higher. Crazy plays happen more and more causing teams to thrive and dominate others. More records are broken every year. If the performance of the teams in the NFL have changed why cant some of the rules. It’s just not right to be happy to win the big game and to be punished at the same time. I condone every celebration and I am sure almost all of the fans side with me. T.O. I got your back just sign a football for me.
what is the fine for throwing the football into the stands after a touchdown???Apparently it is $5,000. Ask Plaxico Burress
at the time i wrote this article the fines for excessive celebration were still being created. Also a bunch of rules changed in the time being.
where do you find a list of all the rules and infringements?
This forum does not allow URL's so go to the NFL website page and after the dot "com" put "/rulebook" without the quotes
What is the fine if a NFL player hands a football to a fan ,such as a child in a wheelchair,after scoring a touchdown?
Who benefits from the fines paid by players?