Every Saturday, the NFL imparts fines and penalties for controversial and unsportsmanlike actions to players of the league’s teams. In recent weeks, these measures have been a source of controversy due to the reasons for the penalties and the names penalized. In this context, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made a strong statement regarding the topic.
Many of the fines are in response to excessive celebrations, as well as aggression or unnecessary roughness between players from different teams. Some fines are even levied against franchises. In other cases, the fines are imposed for plays that are not so clear to the common eye of fans and analysts.
“It’s a long-standing policy and we’re going to enforce it,” Goodell said emphatically about the NFL’s fines. “I think Troy (Vincent, the league’s executive vice president) had a direct conversation with the union about that last week. We’re going to pursue that approach. We don’t think it’s appropriate under the circumstances, and we think it sends the wrong message. So we’re going to continue to do that,” the National Football League commissioner sentenced.
Many of the fines are subject to appeal and are the focus of commentary from fans, who often disagree with the penalties. In the case of the 2024 season, a major cause of financial penalties is player celebrations, which are often interpreted as excessive or directed at rivals.
Fines for points celebrations
One of the big controversies in the league has to do with touchdown or victory celebrations. For example, players like New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr have been fined for celebrating by doing a dance after scoring a touchdown.
In the first four weeks combined, there have been eight penalties and fines for celebrations, and two more in Week 5. Penalties have ranged from $6,000 to more than $14,000, as in Carr’s case in Week 2.