The NFL decided over the summer to place a greater emphasis on “sportsmanship” by cracking down on what it believes are violent or sexually suggestive gestures by players during a game.
According to NFL rules analyst Walt Anderson, the league is frowning on such things as simulating shooting or brandishing a gun, throat slashes, “unfortunate” sexual gestures, and nose wipe gestures.
It only took until the first quarter of their Week 1 game for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to find out
that the league means business.
On Cleveland’s first offensive series, quarterback Joe Flacco tried to hit Jeudy with a pass on a third-and-three play from Cincinnati’s 34-yard line. The pass was incomplete, but Cincinnati defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt was called for pass interference.
An excited Jeudy jumped up and clapped in celebration that the official had gotten the call right, and no additional flag was thrown for taunting.
But, on Saturday, the NFL was so aghast that it determined a fine of $11,593 was in order for Jeudy’s heinous act.
Eleven thousand, five hundred and ninety-three dollars for showing emotion in the opening quarter of a game against a divisional foe.
In addition to Jeudy, the NFL fined four other players for taunting – linebacker Nolan Smith of the Philadelphia Eagles, safety Brian Branch and wide receiver Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions, and safety Xavier McKinney of the Green Bay Packers – and defensive end Will McDonald IV of the New York Jets was fined for making a violent gesture.
Welcome to the NFL in 2025.
