The NFL came down hard on Pittsburgh Steelers this week after a large number of the team celebrated an interception by cornerback James Pierre during last week’s game. As a group, the team was fined $132,484 for the celebration.
After Pierre’s first-quarter interception of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan, Pierre and a dozen teammates ran to the end zone to celebrate, The celebration, one that started in training camp, involved one player throwing the football up like a target and the rest of the players simulating shooting it out of the sky.
Here is how the fines broke down:
LB T.J. Watt $13,261
S Minkah Fitzpatrick $13,261
LB Myles Jack $13,261
LB Marcus Allen $13,261
CB Cameron Sutton $13,261
CB Levi Wallace $13,261
S Terrell Edmunds $13,261
S Tre Norwood $4,715
CB James Pierre $4,989
S Damontae Kazee $6,597
CB Arthur Maulet $8,528
LB Malik Reed $8,333
LB Alex Highsmith $6,495
The disparity in fines relates to the NFL’s policy about how much can be fined. The larger figure is the standard amount for a veteran player on a first-time offense bu the smaller amounts are based on a percentage of the player’s salary, hence they are lower.
