Deshaun Watson is about to step onto the field as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback for the very first time this regular season, and the buzz around it is absolutely massive. Everyone’s got an opinion, and even though he’s faced plenty of boos, he’s got a chance to prove a lot of people wrong. But while all eyes are on Watson’s debut, another Browns player is dealing with a much harsher reality: offensive tackle Tytus Howard just got slammed with the biggest punishment of the entire NFL preseason, a brutal $12,537 fine for unnecessary roughness.
The Biggest Preseason Hit: Tripping Costs Big Bucks
This wasn’t some quiet warning; this was the league dropping the hammer. Howard got caught tripping an opposing player during the Browns’ Week 1 preseason showdown against the Chicago Bears. That game, which took place all the way back on August 15, saw the incident unfold early in the first quarter, right around the 11:40 mark. The NFL didn’t hesitate, categorizing the action under the serious “striking/kicking/tripping/kneeling” umbrella. The fine that followed, a whopping $12,537, isn’t just a number; it stands as the single largest penalty handed out to any player during the entire preseason. Yeah, the NFL really laid down the law on him, and it happened well before the regular season even got rolling. This kind of hit, especially for a player just trying to get into game shape, tells you everything about the league’s no-nonsense approach.
The NFL’s Message: Safety and Sportsmanship Above All
The NFL isn’t just throwing fines around for kicks; there’s a serious purpose behind every penalty. The league’s rules are meticulously crafted, and they’re all “intended to protect the players from unnecessary risk, promote player safety and emphasize sportsmanship and respect of teammates, opponents, coaches, officials and fans.” When a player like Tytus Howard gets dinged for something like tripping, it’s a stark reminder that these aren’t just suggestions. The league means business when it talks about protecting its athletes and upholding the integrity of the game. That $12,537 fine isn’t just about the money; it’s a very public declaration that actions impacting player safety and sportsmanship will be met with immediate and substantial consequences. Every team and every player just got a clear signal about what the NFL expects as we head into the thick of the season.
What’s Next: The Fines Keep Rolling
With the full NFL preseason now officially wrapped, this fine serves as the biggest, most expensive lesson learned. But don’t expect the NFL to ease up. Once the regular season gets going, those fines will keep coming, issued by the league every single Saturday for games played the weekend before. This early, significant penalty for Tytus Howard is a wake-up call for every player on every roster: stay disciplined, or pay the price. While Deshaun Watson gears up to finally make his official debut and battle the doubters, his teammate’s wallet just took a brutal hit, proving the stakes are already incredibly high for player conduct in the league.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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