The Pittsburgh Steelers were lucky to win 24-16 against the Carolina Panthers last week. During the game, two Steelers, Diontae Johnson and Marcus Allen, incurred serious penalties that could have cost the team the game. Now the NFL is making them pay and Johnson took to Twitter to voice his discontent.
The Steelers receiver drew a flag after earning a hard-fought eight yards on a 3rd and 6. His play would have put Pittsburgh on the seven-yard line but instead, he cost them 15 yards. After the play was over Johnson stood over the Carolina defensive back and talked trash. Johnson said after the game he did not even see the defender on the ground. He said it was a spur-of-the-moment celebration and wasn’t meant to be taunting. According to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, he had something to say about all of this.
“He was just there and I didn’t even see him there. It was in the moment. It wasn’t nothing toward him or whatever,” Johnson said.
Johnson should probably offer to pay Allen’s fine for him. Just as the internet was exploding over the complete ridiculousness of Johnson’s foolish behavior, Allen made it seem like nothing.
Well into the second half of the game and the Steelers are just on the verge of nailing a decisive victory. They have stopped the Panthers on a 4th and 27 and they have to punt. Then, during a TV time out, and completely unprovoked, Allen approaches the Panthers’ special teams huddle. He verbally taunts the players and even tries to force his way into their huddle.
His outrageous behavior earned an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and gave new life to the Panthers. Carolina was able to turn that into a field goal. After the game, Allen was asked about the penalty and had no problem commenting.
“I should’ve just started walking to my team,” Allen said. “Man, I have to keep a better head than that. My emotions got the better of me. Listen, I can’t let that happen. I let down the defense.”
Now the NFL is responding. Both players earned a fine of $10,609.00. That is the standard fine for the first offense of taunting. These fines are handed down almost automatically.
All plays of this nature are reviewed by league staff and if fines are levied, the player is notified. They are sent a written letter telling them what they did, a video of the incident and the amount it will cost them. Players do have the opportunity to appeal but if the fine is upheld or if they do not appeal, the amount is withheld from their next check.
All monies collected this way are used to fund programs for former players. This was something agreed upon by the NFL and the NFLPA. The goal is to keep all the players safe and to promote good sportsmanship.
Prior to the news of the fine, Johnson took to Twitter to complain.
“Boy NFL really be trying get in ya pockets… SMH.”
The Steelers have been in numerous close games this season and these costly penalties could have easily caused this one to swing in the opposite direction. Fortunately, they did not. However, the team has to find a way to quit committing such costly, frivolous mistakes.
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