The NFL doubles down on controversial George Pickens decision during the Dallas Cowboys’ bye week
George Pickens quickly went viral in Week 9 for his actions after a big first-down conversion.
During the Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the Arizona Cardinals on “Monday Night Football” last week, wide receiver George Pickens got flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct in a sequence that quickly went viral among NFL fans.
On social media, multiple fan accounts described it as a bad taunting penalty. On Saturday, the NFL fined Pickens for the play.
The penalty came after Pickens made a six-yard catch to move the chains in the fourth quarter while the Cowboys trailed by 10. With less than seven minutes left, Dallas was marching down the field trying to make it a one-possession game. After the play, Pickens held out the football in his hand toward Cardinals cornerback Denzel Burke. He then hands it over to the official.
NFL fines Cowboys’ Pickens for controversial taunting penalty
Was Pickens truly mocking Burke? Was he just looking for the official? Did he say something? Those things we don’t know for sure. But as Troy Aikman said during the ESPN broadcast, the NFL is emphasizing taunting calls.
“It doesn’t look like much,” Aikman said of Pickens’ actions. “The players know that’s a costly penalty.”
Despite the controversy, the NFL is doubling down on the penalty by punishing Pickens financially.
This is Pickens’ second taunting fine of the year and fourth overall. Since it’s a second offense for the same concept (taunting), Pickens is being fined an increased amount of $17,389. His first fine for taunting was $11,593. These are predetermined amounts by the NFL.
Every Saturday, the NFL announces its league-wide fines and amounts for penalties committed the previous week. The money collected by the league through player fines is “donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support Legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.”
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