Ravens wide receiver hit with 10K fine for game-changing taunting penalty

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is still paying for the taunting penalty that helped end his team's chances for a comeback in the AFC Championship game. In this case he is literally paying for it out of his wallet.

The NFL announced on Saturday that Flowers has been fined $10,927 for the taunting penalty he incurred after a huge 54-yard catch in the Ravens' 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

After the play, Flowers shoved Chiefs defensive back L'Jarius Sneed, flipped the ball at him and then stood over him. That penalty backed the Ravens up to the 25-yard line instead of giving them the ball at the 10-yard line. Just a few plays later, Flowers made matters worse by fumbling at the goal line – a fumble that was forced by Sneed – and allowing the Chiefs to recover in the end zone. 

Baltimore would not score another touchdown for the remainder of the game and ended up falling just short of a Super Bowl berth. That sequence of events marked a huge turning point in the game.

It was a tough end to an otherwise strong rookie season for the Flowers. After being selected with No. 22 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Flowers led the Ravens with 77 catches and 858 receiving yards. He also caught five touchdowns. 

He caught five passes for 115 yards and the Ravens' only touchdown in the AFC Championship game, including the aforementioned 54-yard catch that preceded the penalty. Flowers figures to be a favorite target of quarterback Lamar Jackson and a huge part of the Ravens offense in future seasons.