A few weeks ago, the Detroit Lions were hammered by the NFL with a load of fines for celebrations. In their Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills, several Lions players mimicked a smoking motion—resulting in the following fines:
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: $14,926 — Illegal celebration and vulgar acts
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: $14,926 — Illegal celebration and vulgar acts
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: $14,926 — Illegal celebration and vulgar acts
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: $14,926 — Illegal celebration and vulgar acts
- Penei Sewell: $14,926 — Illegal celebration and vulgar acts
- Jahmyr Gibbs: $14,926 — Illegal celebartion and vulgar acts
- Jameson Williams: $14,926 — Illegal celebration and vulgar acts
- Jameson Williams: $11,941 — Taunting
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Williams appealed his two fines and won both of those appeals. According to Ian Rapoport, Williams argued that marijuana was legal in several states and therefore not an obscene gesture. As for the taunting penalty, the brief gesture he made, Williams argued,
was not offensive.
At this point, it isn’t clear if any of the other Lions players won their appeals, but St. Brown told reporters the in Week 3 that he was planning on appealing with the league.
Appeals officer—and Hall of Fame linebacker—Derrick Brooks offered the following response to Williams’ appeal.
“Although I rescinded this fine, please make every effort to celebrate with your teammates in the best professional manner possible.”
This offseason, the NFL attempted to cut down on celebrations that referenced drugs or alcohol. In the same week the Lions got hit, players like 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk and Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson were fined for their “chugging” celebrations. Since then, both of their fines have also been rescinded.
