Former Houston Texans standout and future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt has taken to social media to sound off on the NFL and Roger Goodell about their recent liberty in handing out fines to their players.
I will say it again… This is STEALING money from guys.
These absurd fines for routine football plays have got to stop.
Fines for intentfully malicious plays?
Absolutely.Taking $21,694 from a guy for this?!
What are we doing. This is out of control. https://t.co/GC05qoUScs
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 5, 2023
J.J. Watt Dumbfounded by the NFL’s Decision Making Regarding Fines
“These absurd fines for routine football plays have got to stop,” said Watt in his now-viral tweet. Watt quote tweeted a video of the Baltimore Ravens running an inside run out of 12 personnel against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8. Ravens Fullback Patrick Ricard got fined over $20,000 for his routine lead block against a Cardinals second-level defender.
Per NBC Sports, the NFL handed out 31 citations for on-field violations in Week 8. Watt stands with the NFL handing out penalties for ‘malicious plays’ but firmly believes that the league is ‘out of control’ regarding recent citations, like the one to Ricard for doing his job last Sunday.
Watt added to his tweet with a reply, saying, “And don’t tell me it’s about ‘player safety.’ Cut blocks are legal. You can LITERALLY target a player’s knee with your helmet intentionally. So don’t act like we’re on some high and mighty ‘player safety’ crusade.” The NFL has made a conscious effort to try and make football a safer sport, changing contact rules rapidly over the previous few seasons.
Other Questionable FInes During the 2023 Season
D’Onta Foreman fined $48k for this…?
NFL is stealing money from runningbacks this year.
pic.twitter.com/sSSQRF1S1P— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) November 4, 2023
These two plays got Jaylen Warren fined a total of $96,889.
I don't think either one of them drew a flag at the time.
That's absolutely awful from the NFL. pic.twitter.com/ehetDxlid8
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) October 30, 2023
Still can't believe the NFL fined D'Andre Swift for playing football…#Eaglespic.twitter.com/U6hxqVM5RM
— Thomas R. Petersen (@thomasrp93) November 5, 2023
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