No Fun League Strikes Again
You knew this was going to happen. But it still stinks: Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco has been fined $20,000 by the NFL for jokingly waving a dollar bill at an official during a replay challenge in Cincinnati's 17-7 win over the Ravens last Sunday.
According to a league spokesman, Ochocinco violated a league rule that "prohibits use of abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures toward game officials. He was also in violation of Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(f) of the Playing Rules which prohibits possession or use of extraneous objects that are not part of the uniform during the game on the field or sideline."
Oh, no! Not a violation of Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(f)!
Why that's just . . . terrible! That's right up there with murder!
What also apparently got Ochocinco in hot water was his use of the word "bribe" in interviews after the game.
As if anyone would seriously think an NFL official could be bribed for a whole dollar.
Nice going, NFL. Way to bleed all the fun out of the game.
And Tommie Harris of the Bears punches an opponent in the face in the opening seconds of Chicago's 41-21 loss to the Arizone Cardinals and only gets fined $7,500.
Please explain the logic -- if there is any -- of that decision.
Comments
The NFL's brand is being severely damaged by Roger Goodell. Between the horrendous offciating & PC crap that goes on, I find myself becoming more and more disgusted w/ it. I would very much like the Owners to stand up to this fool Goodell and remove him after the seasonis over.
Posted by: Jason | November 13, 2009 5:11 PM
The same logic that explains the reinstatement of that Oregon running back who went postal on Boise State, his own teammates, the fans and the police - football is a viscous sport played by violent thugs, many of whom would be in street gangs or in prison if they weren't in the NFL. They are handsomely rewarded for their casual acts of assault by endless airplay on Sportscenter and by the No Fun League's own highlight programs, as well as financially. On the other hand, playful foolishness like the dollar bill incident, or cheerleaders posing for Playboy, is a threat to the league's All-American image, which seeks to emphasize violence and thugishness. But perhaps the NFL is just giving the people what they want. After all, this is a country that was thrown into a nationwide scandal over the site of Janet Jackson's nipple at a Super Bowl, but doesn't bat an eye at the site of ball players being carried off on stretchers week after week after week. Chad,simply keep it violent and you will be just fine in the NFL.
Posted by: Michael Passe | November 13, 2009 5:35 PM
Come'on guys.....it's supposed to be entertainment....there's nothing wrong with a good joke.....
Posted by: Dick Fishman | November 13, 2009 5:39 PM
Why does the NFL hold itself to such an inferior standard? What do fans, or any of us want - the truth. If an official screws-up we'd like him to acknowledge it. If the officiating crew calls a bad game we'd like the league to acknowledge that rather than fine players and coaches who speak the obvious, or in 85's case, infer a level of incompitence that causes all of to wonder...........................
Posted by: kamentdog20 | November 13, 2009 6:11 PM
Michael - I totally agree with your comments. Who cares? It's entertainment. Look at Michael Oher. I read he's offended that the movie makes him look stupid. Really? This from a guy who in their junior year of high school had a.3 GPA. Not a 3.0 but a point 3! But he could play football so guess what.....ticket is punched, proceed past Go and collect $13.7 million (almost 8 million guarenteed). These are mostly not very smart people. There's always exceptions. I also laughed at the Rule 12 description. I guess pop-corn boxes (TO) and pulling a sharpie out of your sock to sign the football after a TD is not considered extraneous objects. The No Fun League pick and chooses when to apply their rules and when not to. It's entertainment folks, pure and simple and everybody is making money.....and a lot of it so nobody's gonna rock the boat.
Posted by: Anonymous | November 13, 2009 7:29 PM
Lighten up!Ochocinco is funny sometimes. The fines for silly stuff like this is out of line considering illegal hits gets lower fines or none at all.
Posted by: dave | November 13, 2009 8:33 PM
I think those antics detract from rather than add to the game. This is football. If I want to see a clown, I'll go to the circus. The proper discipline should have been immediate ejection from the game.
Posted by: Ozzie Gruesome | November 13, 2009 11:59 PM
Who cares? Seriously, does it even matter that Ochocinco was fined? He likely won't pay the fine -- most teams pay the fines that are levied on the players. Even if he does, it's not like he's going to have to run out and get a part time gig at Target to scrounge together the cash.
If you thought his attempt at a joke was funny, then laugh away -- you aren't paying the fine.
If you thought it was a poor attempt at humor, then you're vindicated.
But really - why all the mock outrage? Did anyone think he *wouldn't* get fined? I knew this was coming as soon as I saw the dollar on the TV screen. The NFL has to fine this stuff to keep things from getting out of hand. I'm not saying they don't overreact sometimes -- they do. It's just as irritating to see fans overreact to fines that they don't have to pay, and are probably not paid by the athletes either.
Posted by: Ferg | November 14, 2009 6:31 PM
Ocho still made out $5000 better than Lewis' LEGAL hit and fine,in my opinion.
Posted by: Dan R. | November 15, 2009 7:27 AM