Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams has been fined $19,697 by the NFL for “Unsportsmanlike Conduct (obscene gestures)” for his dive into the end zone last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It wasn’t just an ordinary dive. Williams paid tribute to Marshawn Lynch by diving backward into the end zone and grabbing his crotch — much like what the Seattle Seahawks great did following 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 move on Christmas Day 2014 after a 79-yard touchdown run, which ended up as the longest rush of his career. The NFL fined him $11,050.)
No flags were thrown on the Williams and Lynch runs. Lynch was not fined for the “BeastQuake” celebration.
This is the second time Williams has had to forfeit a chunk of his salary for a touchdown celebration this season. In Week 4, he topped off a 70-yard scamper by dunking the ball over the crossbar during a 42-29 win over the Seahawks. The NFL took $14,069 from him that week.
The NFL frowns upon finger guns and has been fining players regularly for the move. This latest victim is Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was docked $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 rulebook.
This type of celebration has not only drawn fines this season, but also in-game discipline with New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard drawing a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in Week 4 that wiped out a 13-yard gain.
