The NFL announced 25 fines for players Saturday for action in Week 4 games.
Among them is a $14,069 fine levied on New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard for “unsportsmanlike conduct (violent gesture),” which was the result of celebrating a first reception with finger guns.
Not only was Lazard fined, but during the game he was penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct during the celebration, erasing a 13-yard gain.
This was Lazard’s first unsportsmanlike conduct fine this season. If he is reported again, the NFL will take $19,697 from him.
Players are allowed to appeal fines, and that’s what Lazard appears to want to do.
“If I am [fined]they will definitely exempt it,” Lazard said this week. “It would make no sense to fine someone for something you never warned them about. [about]. It’s like making a new driving rule: If you drive on the street with one hand, you never told me I could only drive with two hands. It’s unfair. It’s not a legal democracy in that sense.”
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was fined twice for a total of $25,324 thanks to two unsportsmanlike conduct and violent gestures violations during the win over the New York Giants.
The first infraction occurred on his 55-yard touchdown reception for throwing the ball after entering the end zone. The second was due to more finger guns.
This isn’t the first time the NFL has disciplined Lamb this season. He was fined $22,511 for an unnecessary roughness infraction in Week 3 for lowering his shoulder and hitting Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton in the chest with the top of his helmet.
Another fine levied this week that will further cement the NFL as the “No Fun League” is the $14,069 taken from Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions.
After the wide receiver scored a 70-yard touchdown, he celebrated by dunking the ball over the crossbar at Ford Field in the Lions’ 42-29 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
No accessories are allowed, specifies the NFL.
With all the money the league collects from players each week, where does it all go?
Under the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, 50 percent of fine money should go to the Players Assistance Trust, run by the NFLPA, to help care for retired players. The remaining half goes to “charities determined jointly by the NFL and NFLPA.”
