Taunting opponents is a natural part of professional sports, but it’s also against the rules in the NFL.
So, when it occurs during games, the NFL often swoops in and punishes those players via penalties during the game or a monetary punishment after the incident.
During a Week 10 matchup between the Buffalo Bills’ and Miami Dolphins last weekend, Bills quarterback Josh Allen, a three-time Pro Bowler, was taunted by a Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb after a 5-yard sack late in the game.
Chubb was hit with a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, and it was such a heated moment, that many expected Chubb to get hit with a fine for the incident after the game.
However, the NFL decided that the29-year-old pass-rusher’s actions didn’t deem further discipline, and he didn’t have to pay a cent. The same can’t be said for Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates and Houston Texans defensive back Kamari Lassiter, who were fined $11,593 and $11,328, respectively, for taunting in Week 10.
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Each week during the regular season, the NFL announces penalizes for players for actions taken during the previous week’s games. The NFL notes on their website that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.”
If Chubb had been fined, it would have marked his first taunting penalty of the season, which would have meant him paying more than $11,000. That fine goes up for additional taunting penalties throughout the season.
According to the NFL, the funds raised from those fines will go to the Professional Athletes Foundation to “support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.”
The NFL also notes that “league staff members examine the plays identified as having potential infractions to determine whether there is cause for additional review.”
No Bills or Dolphins players were fined for last Sunday’s game.
Next up, the Buffalo Bills are hoping to redeem themselves on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both the Bucs and Bills have a 6-3 record going into the game.
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