Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Antonio Brown, has faced a remarkable amount in fines-- nearly 50 thousand dollars-- for touchdown celebrations and uniform violations, and it is only Week Five of the season. In the Steelers Week Four game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Brown was instructed to change cleats and fined for a suggestive touchdown celebration.
"We need more clarification in regards to what I can and cannot do. I don't think excessive celebrating should cost more than hitting guys in the helmet -- $24,000 for a guy scoring touchdowns and having fun is more than a guy getting hit in the head, targeting with the helmet," reveals Brown .
The NFL reports that fines for impermissible use of the helmet , which could result in injuring another player, are $24,309-- the same amount as the fine for busting a couple of dance moves.
Unsportsmanlike conduct calls, in particular, have gone up nearly 56 percent since last season, according to ESPN . Dean Blandino, NFL's senior vice president of officiating, reports that "sportsmanship and player safety are really the two top priorities in the game today." Blandino also referenced how unsportsmanlike behavior can escalate and lead to other unwarranted behaviors on the field, such as confrontations. NFL is looking to eliminate celebrations that are directed at the opponent, mimic violent acts or weaponry, are sexually suggestive, or choreographed celebrations involving multiple players.
The preventative nature of these fines is understandable; however, Brown is choosing to appeal the fine, expressing "I can't stop having fun ." Is the NFL infringing on the players' ability to have fun? If the player is not behaving in a manner that disrespects the opposing team, or anyone else for that matter, should the NFL care what they do?
Blandino argues that NFL players should set an example for young football players, being that they often emulate the professionals.
Brown has also been fined for wearing baby blue cleats in week one and three, as well as for wearing black and gold cleats that honored the late Arnold Palmer in week four. In Sunday's game against the New York Jets, Brown wore Muhammad Ali- inspired cleats and was instructed to remove them by NFL officials. This is the fourth time in five games that the NFL has taken an issue with the wide receiver's apparel.
The NFL does have a uniform policy and will institute fines for "foreign substances on uniforms;" nevertheless, what is the big deal with players expressing themselves? Players do not get fined for wearing pink cleats or sweatbands during Breast Cancer Awareness Month; why should Brown get fined for honoring one of his idols?
The NFL is largely becoming the "No Fun League," limiting the players' ability to maintain their freedom of expression and keep the game lighthearted. Let's just let the men have a little fun. It's supposed to be a game, right?
