Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell addresses the media after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The NFL’s decision to penalize Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown heavily for his behavior during the team’s game against the Chicago Bears last week can only be described as perplexing. The first-quarter block that occurred when the Lions were behind 7-0 was the reason for the astronomical $43,709 fine.
The Controversial Block
The block in question, where St. Brown was cited for “lowering his head” to initiate contact, has raised more than a few eyebrows. If you watch the video of the play, it’s clear that St. Brown was engaging in what appeared to be a standard blocking technique. There was no evident malicious intent or egregious violation of safety protocols. It was the kind of block that happens numerous times in any given game.
A Disproportionate Financial Burden
What makes this fine particularly egregious is the financial burden it places on St. Brown. With an annual base salary of just $940,000, translating to about $55,294 per game, this fine eats up a whopping 79% of his game check. For a player not on a blockbuster contract, such a fine is not just a slap on the wrist; it’s a significant financial hit. This raises questions about the fairness and proportionality of fines levied by the NFL, especially against players who aren’t among the top earners in the league.
An Overreach by the NFL?
This incident with St. Brown may well reignite the debate over the NFL’s disciplinary measures and their consistency. It’s one thing to enforce rules to ensure player safety, which is paramount, but another to hand out punishments that seem disproportionate to the infraction, especially when the action in question is part of the rough-and-tumble nature of football. There’s a fine line between maintaining the integrity and safety of the game and overly penalizing players for actions that are part and parcel of the sport.
- Excessive Fine for St. Brown: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions wide receiver, has been fined $43,709 by the NFL for a block against the Chicago Bears, a decision deemed excessive by many due to the nature of the block.
- Financial Impact on St. Brown: The fine imposed constitutes a significant portion (79%) of St. Brown’s per-game salary, highlighting issues of fairness and proportionality in the NFL’s disciplinary actions, especially for players with relatively modest earnings.
- Debate Over NFL’s Disciplinary Measures: The incident raises questions about the NFL’s approach to player safety versus the inherent physicality of football, calling for a more balanced and context-sensitive method of enforcing rules and levying penalties.
BS Fine by the NFL
It’s difficult not to believe that Amon-Ra St. Brown has been unfairly punished as the Lions and their supporters struggle with this choice. There still needs to be a balance achieved between safeguarding players and acknowledging the inherent toughness of football in a league where player safety is rightfully paramount. This fine, which makes up a sizeable amount of St. Brown’s game check, appears to tilt the scales against him, casting doubt on the uniformity and equity of the NFL’s disciplinary procedures. It is hoped that this occurrence will result in future approaches that are more balanced and take into account the context and intent of each play.
