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Derek Carr's fine shows NFL's hypocrisy knows no bounds
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Saints QB Derek Carr's fine shows NFL's hypocrisy knows no bounds

We're throwing a flag on this one.

On Thursday, Pro Football Talk reported the NFL fined Derek Carr $14,000 for his touchdown celebration following a 1-yard QB sneak in a 44-19 romp over the Cowboys in Week 2.

After scoring, Carr pulled out the Michael Jackson "crotch grab" dance, which PFT's Mike Florio reminded Jackson even performed during his 1993 Super Bowl headlining set.

NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill noted that the NFL's hard-line stance on Carr's celebration is even more hypocritical, considering the league amplified the celebration on its own social media accounts.

The people hired to run the league's social media accounts aren't the same ones determining player fines, but Carr's punishment shows why the NFL has earned the "No Fun League" moniker.

After signing a four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints last offseason, Carr will still be able to keep the lights on his home despite the fine.

And the way he's playing, the fine might not stop him from dancing.

Carr has been playing the best football of his career through two weeks, leading the Saints on 15 scoring drives on his first 15 possessions.

He leads the NFL in QBR (96.2), passer rating (142.5), yards per attempt (11.4) and is tied for the lead in passing touchdowns (five).

We won't blame him for busting out more moves if the undefeated Saints continue streaking against the 1-1 Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) in Week 3.

The NFL might disapprove, but at least it will get good content from it.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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