Chicago Bears linebacker Cassius Marsh. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Bears' Cassius Marsh fined for controversial taunting penalty

By Adam Stites | Last updated 11/13/21

The NFL has cracked down on taunting in 2021 and no play has put the policy under the microscope more than the penalty Cassius Marsh received during the Chicago Bears' 29-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9.

While many decried the call as an injustice that severely hurt the Bears' chances at beating Pittsburgh, the NFL stood by the penalty and even levied a $5,972 fine against Marsh, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Marsh plans to appeal the fine.

Marsh, 29, sacked Ben Roethlisberger on a third down with just over three minutes to go in the fourth quarter. The Steelers got a fresh set of downs with the taunting penalty after Marsh took several steps toward the Pittsburgh sideline before turning around to run off the field.

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— Clipz (@UnfliteredClipz) November 9, 2021

The NFL defended the call as correct in a video released two days after the game that highlighted Marsh's "posturing" toward the Steelers sideline.

What the NFL hasn't addressed are allegations that referee Tony Corrente intentionally hip-checked Marsh. While many called for Corrente to be punished for his actions, he is set to referee a Week 10 game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts.

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