NFL punishes Atlanta Falcons S Jessie Bates III ahead of Week 9 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys
The NFL has fined safety Jessie Bates III $11,255 for an unsportsmanlike penalty he committed during the Atlanta Falcons' Week 8 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Early in the second quarter, Buccaneers wide receiver Rachaad White caught an 18-yard touchdown pass and proceeded to mix it up verbally with Bates afterwards. Bates knocked the […]
The NFL has fined safety Jessie Bates III $11,255 for an unsportsmanlike penalty he committed during the Atlanta Falcons' Week 8 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Early in the second quarter, Buccaneers wide receiver Rachaad White caught an 18-yard touchdown pass and proceeded to mix it up verbally with Bates afterwards. Bates knocked the ball out of White's hands, which drew a taunting penalty.
The foul had bearing on the outcome of the game, but unfortunately will have one on Bates' pocketbook. It definitely seems like a petty thing to have to cough up thousands of dollars for, but the NFL is cracking down on players getting into any types of verbal or physical altercations.
The Falcons went on to win the game 31-26, taking firm control of first place in the NFC South. Bates had a nice game with five tackles, one interception, one pass defensed and a forced fumble. He is having a fantastic season overall, recording 50 tackles, two interceptions, four passes defensed, one forced fumble and just 151 passing yards allowed.
A seven-year NFL veteran, Bates signed a four-year, $64.02 million deal with Atlanta during the offseason. He'll have to dip into that a little to pay his fine, but he has bigger things on his mind moving forward. Bates could be considered an early favorite for Defensive Player of the Year, and the Falcons are making a push for the postseason. In Week 9 they'll host the Dallas Cowboys in a pivotal NFC showdown.
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