The NFL has fined Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown for jumping headfirst inside the Salvation Army's giant red kettle after scoring during Monday Night Football earlier this month.
The fine, totaling $5,481, was imposed due to unsportsmanlike conduct as Brown celebrated his second quarter touchdown reception during the Bengals' 27-20 win over the Cowboys on December 9. ESPN reported the sanction, emphasizing the NFL’s stringent rules against using props during touchdown celebrations, even as some leniency has been granted over the years.
Brown, 24, expressed shock when informed of the fina by reporters after the game. "I've seen everybody do it since I was a kid, so I'm like, 'screw it, I'm gonna do it,'" Brown recounted, highlighting the festive tradition surrounding the kettle, which the Cowboys set up annually.
Despite his exuberance, Brown wasn't penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct during the game, leaving many to wonder about the inconsistency of the NFL's enforcement of such rules. NBC Sports noted the league's mixed approach to fining players for jumping inside the kettle, pointing out past instances with varying outcomes. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott received a $13,369 fine for the same celebration back in 2018, though he faced no penalty for jumping in the kettle two years prior.
Brown's light-heartedness continued when reporters queried whether the fine was worth it. "No, definitely not! I don't make enough money for this s—," he laughed, demonstrating his openness to the media. Nonetheless, he hinted at possible actions to contest the sanction, making it clear he did not intend to simply accept the fine without question.
"I'd rather just donate it, like let's cut it in half and donate it to Salvation Army," Brown said, pointing out the numerous kettles placed throughout the stadium, which he deemed impossible to resist on the field. "It’s bait! We’re getting set up," he quipped during his interview with The Athletic.
On top of dealing with his fine, Brown's season faced complications from injury. Just days after his celebratory antics, Brown was forced to sit out a pivotal game against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to right ankle pain. Brown attempted to warm up before the game on December 30, but it was apparent his injury would not allow him to play. This absence hurt the Bengals’ playoff aspirations as they needed to secure victories to keep their hopes alive.
Brown, now missing his chance to rush for 1,000 yards this season, had previously performed admirably with seven touchdowns, alongside 54 receptions for 360 yards. He sustained his injury during their December 28 game against the Denver Broncos, after he intentionally slid to keep the clock moving, which proved to be detrimental to his health.
With Brown sidelined, fellow running back Khalil Herbert filled the void, having been traded from the Chicago Bears midseason. Although Herbert rushed for 45 yards over seven games with the Bengals, the team's overall performance was under heavy scrutiny as they faced the Steelers with their playoff lives on the line.
After Brown's initial injury and subsequent celebrations, both fans and analysts are left considering the balance between NFL regulations on celebrations and the emotional pursuits of players caught up in the moment. Each touchdown brings jubilance, yet it becomes compromised by strict regulations and the risks of injury, leaving fans yearning for more clarity on how the league will move forward.
Chase Brown's fining illuminates the playful but often precarious interactions athletes have with celebration rules, perfectly blending the passionate spirit of the game with the stark realities of professional sports.