Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was docked a nice chunk of change for illegal use of his helmet during Monday night’s win over the Cleveland Browns.
The problem with the punishment? Warren wasn’t flagged on the play, and on tape, it didn’t appear that he did anything wrong.
The NFL fined #Steelers RB Jaylen Warren $48,333 for illegal use of helmet in last week’s win over the #Browns.
Here’s the play … which didn’t draw a flag. pic.twitter.com/DA2f35G9tx
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 23, 2023
Nevertheless, Warren is now over $48,000 poorer. Fans and media members can’t believe it.
“Jaylen Warren’s game check is exactly $48,333 (before taxes). So he literally lost his entire week of pay for this play. That’s insane,” said Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora.
Jaylen Warren’s gamecheck is exactly $48,333 (before taxes).
So he literally lost his entire week of pay for this play. That’s insane. https://t.co/gCWIzy4m2n
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) September 23, 2023
“We are obviously appealing,” said Warren’s agent David Canter.
We are obviously appealing https://t.co/7ue7vBRC3G
— David Canter (@davidcanter) September 23, 2023
“Fining a UDFA 50K for this is absolutely nuts from a proportionality perspective,” said fantasy football writer Jakob Sanderson.
Fining a UDFA 50K for this is absolutely nuts from a proportionality perspective https://t.co/vtESw87dUQ
— Jakob Sanderson (@JakobSanderson) September 23, 2023
“Enough is enough, stop taking players money for routine plays,” chimed in former NFL lineman and current analyst Leger Douzable.
Enough is enough, stop taking players money for routine plays. https://t.co/Bbj7rJCPOo
— Leger Douzable (@LegerDouzable) September 23, 2023
“Kareem Jackson got less for KOing Logan Thomas,” said a Bills fan.
Kareem Jackson got less for KOing Logan Thomas
— Jae (@jae_davisss) September 23, 2023
“What are we doing man?” another commenter wondered.
What are we doing man
— Joey Rizzi (@Joeyrizzi7) September 23, 2023
It would be a shame to see these types of plays draw fines more frequently.
There’s nothing wrong with them by the spirit of the rules.