Lions WR Jameson Williams hit with hefty fine for touchdown celebration vs. Commanders
It was expected, and on Saturday we learned the exact amount Jameson Williams was fined for his celebration following a touchdown against Washington.
It was clear from the moment it happened, and on Saturday we were finally told how much Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams would be fined for his post-touchdown celebration after scoring a 61-yard rushing touchdown against the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round.
Williams received a fine of $25,325 for unsportsmanlike conduct (obscene gestures). If you’ve forgotten what Williams did (unlikely), here’s a clip to jog your memory.
Thanks to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Williams avoided going to the extreme of three “pumps” like Hingle McCrinkleberry. It’s hard to imagine what the fine would have been in that case.
Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers took it a step further, noting St. Brown’s timely intervention that kept Williams from taking things even further.
Jameson Williams ends the season with another fine
This marked the fourth fine for Williams this season. Two of the other fines were for touchdown celebrations, including one for $19,697 when he mimicked Marshawn Lynch’s infamous crotch-grab in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
So when it comes to unsportsmanlike conduct for an “obscene gesture,” Williams is considered a repeat offender, and the league treated him accordingly.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press pointed out that Williams lost nearly half of his game-day earnings due to this fine.
Williams wasn’t the only player from the Lions-Commanders game to be fined. Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu was penalized $16,883 for a rough, unflagged hit on Lions quarterback Jared Goff during Washington’s pick-six. Luvu also faced another $16,883 fine for a hip-drop tackle (again, unflagged) on Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs shortly after.
Thus, Luvu’s fines for two offenses, one of which led to Goff being evaluated for a possible concussion and the other potentially injuring Gibbs, totaled about $8,400 more than Williams’ fine for his touchdown celebration. In comparison, Williams’ single fine for an obscene gesture was nearly $8,500 higher than Luvu’s dangerous hits that could have injured players.
The NFL’s fine system can seem inconsistent (just look at the odd amounts), and there’s understandable consideration for repeat offenders like Williams with his “obscene gesture.” But it’s clear the precedent has been set—an excessive act that injures an opposing player (like the Goff hit) doesn’t necessarily result in a higher fine than what’s seen as an obscene gesture.
