Deshaun Watson hit with huge fine for smoking celebration amid league crackdown on ‘vulgar acts’
Deshaun Watson and two of his Cleveland Browns teammates have been fined by the NFL over their celebration in last week’s game.
The quarterback, running back Quinshon Judkins and guard Austin Barber were all hit with fines from the league for ‘unsportsmanlike behavior (illegal celebrations and vulgar acts),’ according to Tom Pelissero.
Judkins and Watson were fined $14,397 for the infraction, while Barber was fined only $6,944.
The punishments came after the trio participated in a touchdown celebration that included the apparent passing of an imaginary marijuana cigarette.
The incident occurred after Judkins scored a second-quarter touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4’s Thursday Night Football.
Video of the celebration shows Judkins appearing to take a puff of the imaginary cigarette before passing it to Barber, who imitates smoking it before tossing it to the ground.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and two teammates have been fined
Watson running back Quinshon Judkins and guard Austin Barber appeared to perform a celebration that imitated smoking a marijuana cigarette in their Week 4 game
Judkins then mimics the action again before passing it to Watson, who was hyping him up after the score.
The fines were the only celebration-related punishments issued by the league this week.
It comes after the NFL rescinded its fine on San Francisco 49ers star Kyle Juszczyk for his Week 2 touchdown celebration.
After scoring in their 35-13 win over the Miami Dolphins on September 20, Juszczyk performed his trademark celebration by tilting his head back and pretending to drink a liquid.
In response, the league handed the fullback a $14,926 fine for engaging in an ‘offensive demonstration’ while on the field, claiming it was an imitation of ‘chugging a beer.’
However, following an explanation from Juszczyk and severe fan backlash, the league backtracked on its punishment on Wednesday.
The league said it was withdrawing the fine ‘because his celebration was simulating drinking a juice box, not a beer….Mr. Juszczyk finally stated that the fine is hypocritical with the amount of Bud Light sponsorships surrounding the NFL.’
The NFL also later confirmed that further beverage-related celebrations performed by players would not be punishable.
The NFL rescinded its fine on San Francisco 49ers star Kyle Juszczyk for his celebration
The fullback was handed a $14,926 fine for imitating drinking after his Week 2 touchdown
‘Conversely, recent celebrations imitating drinking a beverage will not be considered violations or result in discipline. The league-wide guidance provides players with greater clarity on how they can celebrate while remaining within the rules,’ the league stated.
‘When conduct falls into a gray area, the league will contact the player and provide direction before imposing discipline. The player will be advised that continued use of the identified celebration may result in future fines.
‘Individual and team celebrations are part of the game and help players connect with fans. Providing clear, consistent guidance allows players to express themselves while upholding the principles of sportsmanship that have long been a hallmark of NFL football.’
The NFL did, however, stress that other gestures that depict violence, including the use of guns or other weapons or gang-related signs, that depict smoking or drug use, and that are sexual in nature would result in discipline.
