Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase won appeals of fines for his "people's elbow" celebration.
Two fines of $14,926 each for obscene gestures were rescinded from the team's NFL Week 2 win against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium.
"On appeal, Mr. Chase … further contended that even if he committed the violation, his fine should be reduced because he received no warning that this was not allowed," read an excerpt of a letter from the appeals office, per ESPN/NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
"He added that this is a new celebration with his teammate and that it is not offensive. Mr. Chase finally stated that the NFL is assuming the worst of him and his teammate without discussing with the NFLPA," the letter added.
Chase's teammate, Tee Higgins,
was fined nearly $60,000 total for making similar gestures in the Houston game. It is not known whether Higgins appealed.
Chase made an impressive 45-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Joe Burrow during the third quarter of the team's NFL Week 5 win in Miami.
Chase also made an absurd catch from Burrow for the first touchdown of the game against Houston.
Chase was in concussion protocol last week, and was listed as questionable for the Miami game. After a four-yard catch from Burrow against Jacksonville, Chase had his facemask grabbed by Jags defensive back Jarrian Jones. Chase went to the ground and took a big hit from linebacker Ventrell Miller.
Jones drew a 15-yard penalty. Miller was not penalized, and wasn't fined by the league. CBS analyst Robert Turbin said he couldn't believe Miller didn't draw a flag.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NFL responds to Chase fine appeals for 'people's elbow' celebration
