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NFL lives up to its nickname after punishing Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba twice for harmless play on Monday Night Football

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Oct 25, 2025 7:57 PM ET

The NFL has developed the moniker, "No Fun League" over the years due to a lot of penalties, policies, and fines that have been handed down. Everything from the wrong color cleats, socks, and towels, to celebrations is reviewed and often deemed infractions against league rules.

Well, as it pertains to the latter, that exact thing happened to Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. After a superb touchdown catch, Smith-Njigba channeled his inner NBA player, sending the football through the goalposts with a dunk.

The NFL didn't like it when it happened, and they didn't like it again after reviewing the game.

NFL fines Jaxon Smith-Njigba for "prop use" against Texans

"The NFL fined Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba $14,491 for unsportsmanlike conduct (use of prop) — dunking the ball over the crossbar following his TD on Monday night against Tampa Bay," posted NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero on X-Twitter on Saturday.

The NFL fined #Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba $14,491 for unsportsmanlike conduct (use of prop) — dunking the ball over the crossbar following his TD on Monday night against Tampa Bay.

pic.twitter.com/dr6d4FVMwz
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 25, 2025

"Players are notified of violations and may appeal any ruling. Cases are heard by appeals officers and former NFL players, Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster or Jordy Nelson, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL/NFLPA. The decisions made are final and binding."

"The fines collected are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support Legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game."

- NFL Gameday Operations

Don't ask me how the use of a football is a prop, but that's neither here nor there. I'm not sure why this is a penalty in the first place. Smith-Njigba didn't taunt another player or make any obscene gestures towards the other team or a fan. He simply dunked a football that he just caught. Not a prop.

Either way, Smith-Njigba is off to an insane start to his 2025 season. He leads the league in receiving yards, yards per game, yards per target, and yards per touch. He has won deep down field, over the middle, and against any matchup thrown his way. He's officially looking like the player that domianted college with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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