Deshaun Watson and Quinshon Judkins, the Browns’ QB and RB, just got hit with over $14,000 in fines each by the NFL for a “smoking” gesture during a touchdown celebration. That’s right, a huge chunk of change for what felt like a blink-and-you-miss-it moment in their Week 4 win against the Steelers.
The League’s Crackdown Is Real
Man, the NFL is NOT messing around this season. This year, we’ve seen the most accepted penalties through Week 4 since play-by-play data became available in 1978, according to ESPN. It really feels like celebrations are squarely in the crosshairs, leading to flags and hefty fines. The league and NFL Players Association *just* put out a joint statement clarifying that faking a drink is cool, but anything showing violence, smoking or drug use, or being sexual? Nope. That’s a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, a fine, or both. Watson and Judkins just learned that the hard way.
The $14,926 Gesture That Nobody Saw
So, what exactly happened? Turns out, after Judkins muscled in a go-ahead 2-yard touchdown in the second quarter against Pittsburgh at Cleveland’s Huntington Bank Field, the celebration got a little spicy. NFL insider Tom Pelissero initially reported that Watson was fined $14,926 and Judkins $14,397 for “illegal celebrations and vulgar acts.” Pelissero even said nothing was obvious on the TV broadcast! But then Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland WEWS dropped footage that told the whole story. In her report, Justice confirmed Judkins and Watson were *each* fined $14,926, and offensive lineman Austin Barber also got dinged for $6,944.
The video shows a pumped-up Judkins mimicking smoking something and then passing it to Barber, who pretended to take a hit before spiking it to the ground. Judkins repeated the simulation, putting his fingers up to his mouth before giving the fake object to Watson. The 31-year-old QB willingly accepted. Soon after, both Judkins and Watson dropped the theatrics and pumped up the raucous crowd. But yeah, the league definitely saw something, even if the broadcast missed it.
This isn’t just a one-off thing, either. Remember Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown? He was reportedly fined *four times* for the same type of smoking gesture earlier this season during a “Thursday Night Football” loss. It’s super clear the NFL is drawing a hard line on these specific celebrations, no matter how quick or subtle they seem. Players better figure out their celebration game plan, or those fines are going to keep piling up!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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