The NFL has handed down two fines for the Seattle Seahawks’ messy “Monday Night Football” win over the Houston Texans. The first was given to Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who was fined $11,593 for a facemask call that sparked a sideline brawl during the matchup, via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
During the fourth quarter, Stingley intercepted Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold and ran 17 yards. But while getting blocked by Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Stingley grabbed at Smith-Njigba’s facemask forcefully enough to take the receiver’s helmet off.
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In response, Smith-Njigba shoved Stingley out of bounds on Houston’s sideline, prompting multiple Texans players to surround the Seahawks receiver and push him onto the bench.
Video of official Nate Jones, a former NFL defensive back-turned referee, protecting Smith-Njigba on the Texans’ bench went viral, with many praising Jones for his quick thinking in a volatile situation.
Stingley was flagged at the time for unnecessary roughness. No other players were fined as a result of the skirmish.
In addition to being on the receiving end of that facemask, Smith-Njigba was fined $14,491 for unsportsmanlike conduct after a dunking touchdown celebration, via Pelissero. In the first quarter of the game, Smith-Njigba had an 11-yard touchdown reception to double Seattle’s lead and celebrated by dunking the ball over the crossbar of the goal post.
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Per Pelissero, Smith-Njigba’s unsportsmanlike conduct fine was related to “use of props.” Both Smith-Njigba’s and Stingley’s fines represent the first offenses for them for those violations.
Despite the hot start, Monday’s game nearly ended in disaster for the Seahawks after a series of costly turnovers — including Stingley’s fourth-quarter pick — threatened their lead. In the end, though, Seattle was able to hang on.
In general, the NFL has been cracking down on unsportsmanlike conduct this season. In recent weeks, the league has fined multiple players for taunting, including the Philadelphia Eagles’ CB Cooper DeJean for a step-over and DT Jalen Carter for taunting after a field goal block. There have also been fines for inappropriate celebrations, with Travis Kelce’s obscene gesture and Will Johnson’s grenade launch both resulting in hefty fines.
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