League shouldn’t have fined Landry more than Dupree
Earlier this month, the NFL fined Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry $24,309 for removing his helmet to celebrate a touchdown.
Friday, the NFL announced it’s fining Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree $18,231 for attempting to remove Matt Moore’s helmet — with Matt Moore’s head inside it.
And if you want to know all about the NFL’s commitment to player safety, keep in mind $6,078 — the difference between the two fines.
Today, Dolphins fans are questioning the NFL’s logic. Rightly so. Landry’s act was harmful to no one, other than the helmet he smashed on the ground to release pent-up frustration.
That Dupree’s act did not cause a concussion to Moore was a minor miracle to all who witnessed it. The crown of Dupree’s helmet crashed into Moore’s jaw as Moore released his pass.
For this to happen, Dupree had to lower his head before impact, the cardinal sin of tackling because it puts both players at risk.
Ironically, just as Dupree’s fine had been leaked to ESPN, a news release hit inboxes from the league, a reminder of the concussion protocol laid out this past summer. “Furthering their commitment to protecting the health and safety of NFL players ... ,” it began.
So how is one act worth $24,309 and the other $18,231? Simple. Landry’s act struck at the heart of Hal Habib
the reputation the NFL strives for; Dupree’s, maybe not as much.
Take a look at examples of the NFL’s fine schedule, keeping in mind most of the figures below are minimums:
■ Physical contact with an official: $30,387 ■ Fighting: $30,387 ■ Verbal or non-physical abuse vs. official: $24,309 ■ Spearing: $24,309 ■ Impermissible use of helmet including launching: $24,309
■ Hit on defenseless player: $24,309
■ Roughing the passer: $18,231
■ Excessive profanity: $12,154
■ Unsportsmanlike conduct: $12,154 ■ Taunting: $9,115 ■ Throwing ball into stands: $6,076
■ Personal messages on uniform: $6,076
■ On-field commercial logo violation: Suspension or fine
■ Gang signing: Suspension or fine
No two people would look at this list and prioritize the same way. But can’t we agree that 300pound men committing an act that can hurt someone physically is far worse than an act hurting them emotionally?
Earlier this month, the Patriots’ LeGarrette Blount ripped Ndamukong Suh for being dirty, then was fined $18,231 (there’s that figure again) for ripping off Suh’s helmet during a tussle. Blount deserved to be fined, but the chances of hurting Suh were nil.
In Landry’s case, his touchdown celebration was double trouble. The league hit him with a second $24,309 for grabbing his crotch. At least Landry was somewhat off the hook because via an adjustment based on his weekly salary, the net value of the fine turned out to be $21,644.
But what about running back Damien Williams, who was fined $12,154 for his end-zone dance with Jay Ajayi?
“I understand what they’re trying to do and what they’re trying to say, but I feel like at the end of the day, if I’m trying to celebrate with my guys, my teammates, and not doing something just on my own, I feel like they should kind of chill just a little bit,” Williams said.
Football is entertainment. There’s a line to be drawn between players showing up opponents vs. fans and players celebrating as one. Isn’t that the one thing the “stadium experience” offers that 4K cannot?
So let’s rethink that fine schedule. Let’s worry a little more about players hurting one another.
As for worrying about the shield, let’s take Damien Williams’ advice.
Chill.