Football fans are livid with the NFL after learning Patrick Mahomes received a fine of nearly $15,000 for making a “violent gesture.” Per NBC Sports, the star quarterback will receive a $14,069 penalty for his actions during last Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. The moment in question came after Mahomes threw a touchdown pass to Noah Gray. After the catch, Mahome made what appeared to be “finger guns” with his hands—a move the league deemed unacceptable.
This isn’t the first time Mahomes has faced consequences from the league. Last season, the Super Bowl champ was fined $50,000 for “verbally abusing” the referees. His coach, Andy Reid, also received a fine last year for criticizing the officials. However, his final bill was $100,000.
Fans flooded social media comments to share their opinions about the NFL and how it chooses to penalize its players. One person slammed the organization for being too “woke.” They continued, saying $15,000 is a “chump change” for a person like Mahomes. “Let me guess … it was the ‘principle’ of the gesture that mattered, right?” Another fan also chimed in, wondering if the NFL would make Patrick attend a “sensitivity training” too. Others mentioned past football scandals, like the kneeling ordeal with Colin Kaepernick. “Kneeling for the anthem is encouraged,” they wrote before questioning why “Trump” dances and “finger pointing” isn’t. The latter, of course, refers to Nick Bosa’s public endorsement of Donald Trump during a Sunday football game several weeks ago.
Fines for Everyone in the NFL
Patrick Mahomes isn’t the only professional football player who has received a fine from the NFL recently.
In case you missed it, Pittsburgh Steelers player George Pickens received a lot of backlash after his Thursday Night Football controversy. As the game was winding down, Pickens got into an explosive shoving match with Greg Newsome of the Cleveland Browns. Their scuffle made its way to the stands, where stadium personnel had to hold the wide receiver back.
The intense moment was shared online after Prime Video’s broadcast caught a glimpse of it. “There you got Pickens upset about something,” broadcaster Al Michaels said on the air.
After the dust settled, fans started speculating whether the NFL would fine Pickens for his behavior. According to the NFL’s code of conduct, fighting could result in a hefty fee of $39,501.
Newsome seemingly shaded Pickens online following their heated battle. “Fake tough guy,” he wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions is also facing heat from his bosses. On November 23, NBC Sports reported that Williams would be fined almost $20,000 for his touchdown celebration against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
After catching a pass, the NFL player ran to the endzone before falling backward and grabbing his crotch. He was fined $19,697 for “obscene gestures.” He was also fined $14,069 earlier in the season for using a “prop” to celebrate when he dunked a football through the goalposts.
Fans were confused by the penalty and voiced their frustrations online.
“Interestingly enough, the NFL brings more attention to the ‘gesture’ with the fine than the gesture got when he did it,” one user wrote on X. “Why is this a fine if it’s allowed in Madden?” another person asked.
