The NFL is really out here trying to kill the vibe. Star Bengals wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are both facing fines after they debuted a new touchdown celebration during their 20-6 dub against the Texans. The move, which Chase insists was just an homage to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson’s classic WWE move, the "People's Elbow," was interpreted by the league as something inappropriate.
The drama unfolds
Chase isn't letting this slide without a fight. He told reporters on Thursday that he plans to appeal his fine, noting, "They're just stopping our fun. It is what it is." The catch that preceded the celebration was absolute fire, and some are already calling it a top-tier play of the season.
He’s not the only one feeling the heat. Colts guard Matt Goncalves and 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk were also dinged for "offensive demonstrations" involving pretend beer chugging. Juszczyk, who actually doesn't even drink beer, said his move was just a nod to his nickname, "Juice."
Calling in the big guns
Chase is highkey over the league policing player personality. He’s calling for the NFLPA to step up and protect players from these constant fines, especially since talking about it on social media could just lead to more fines. "We gotta have a superstar on the NFLPA to do something about it," Chase said.
For context, a first-offense unsportsmanlike conduct fine currently sits at $14,926, while a second offense jumps to $20,897. It’s a major L for player expression, and the players are clearly feeling the pressure to keep quiet.
Why it matters
This crackdown on celebrations is creating a massive divide between the league and the players who keep the game hype. With Chase rallying for a collective pushback, the plot thickens on whether the NFLPA will actually use its power to defend the players' right to celebrate.
