The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
League fines Saints’ Payton $10K
Unsportsmanlike penalty for going on field costs coach.
FLOWERY BRANCH — Saints coach Sean Payton was fined $10,000 by the NFL on Friday for entering the playing field during the game against the Falcons.
Payton was not fined for appearing to give Falcons running back Devonta Freeman the “choke” sign in the game.
After the completion of this week’s games, the NFL reviewed Payton’s conduct Thursday in the Falcons’ 20-17 win.
Payton gave the choke sign to Freeman and his conduct toward game officials near the end of the game, which drew an unsportsmanlike penalty with 1:05 to play, was reviewed.
It is standard to review any unsportsmanlike conduct, regardless of whether a penalty is called, according to the league.
Payton’s memory about the choke sign was foggy after the game.
“I don’t remember that,” Payton said. But Freeman remembered it just fine.
“I saw it,” Freeman said. “That man don’t know nothing about choking. He ain’t from where I’m from.
“He’s a good competitor so the competin’ probably came out. But you don’t let that bother you. He don’t know nothing about choking.’”
The Falcons trailed 17-10 when Payton gave them the choke sign.
The act occurred after Freeman ran out of bounds on a first-and-10 play from the Saints’ 33 for no gain. It could be heard, “You choke, you choke” on the audio of the broadcast.
Payton apparently was referring to the Falcons blowing a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl. Some contend that he may have been signaling to the refs that one of his players was being choked.
Earlier in the season, Payton was seen yelling at Tampa Bay coach Dirk Koetter after Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston instigated a fight between wide receiver Mike Evans and Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
He also claimed not to remember that incident.
Payton has ripped the officiating in the game. The Saints were called for 11 penalties, nine of which gave the Falcons’ first downs.
Joe Lockhart, the league’s executive vice president of communications, held his weekly teleconference Monday and addressed Payton.
“I think everyone is aware of the rules that are in place on public criticisms of our officials, and those who need to be reminded occasionally are reminded,” Lockhart said of Payton.
The Falcons play the Saints again Dec. 24 in New Orleans and could face them in the playoffs.
In 2014, Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman was fined $7,875 for making a choking gesture toward San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the NFC Championship.