Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was fined $19,697 by the NFL for “Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Obscene Gestures)” for his jump into the end zone last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It was no ordinary dive. Williams paid tribute to Marshawn Lynch by diving backwards into the end zone and grabbing him in the crotch — similar to what the Seattle Seahawks great did after his 67-yard “BeastQuake” run during the 2011 NFC wild-card game.
First, here’s Williams and his 64-yard touchdown during the Lions’ 52-6 win.
Now here’s Lynch, ending the New Orleans Saints’ Super Bowl repeat hopes.
(Lynch did the same thing on Christmas Day 2014 after a 79-yard touchdown run that ended up being the longest rush of his career. The NFL fined him $11,050.)
No flags were flown on the Williams and Lynch tracks. Lynch was not fined for the “BeastQuake” celebration.
This is the second time this season that Williams has had to forfeit a portion of his salary to celebrate a touchdown. In Week 4, he capped a 70-yard scamper by kicking the ball over the crossbar during a 42-29 win over the Seahawks. The NFL took $14,069 from him that week.
Mahomes fined for pistols
The NFL frowns on finger guns and regularly fines players for the move. That latest victim is Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was paid $14,069 this week for celebrating Noah Gray’s 1-yard reception in an eventual 30-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills last week.
Mahomes’ punishment falls under “Unsportsmanlike conduct (violent gesture)” in the NFL rules.
That type of celebration has not only resulted in fines but game discipline this season, with Allen Lazard receiving a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in Week 4 that wiped out a 13-yard gain.