KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was fined more than $14,000 for making a “violent gesture” during last Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
According to NFL Insider Tom Pelissero, Mahomes is facing a $14,069 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct after he celebrated a touchdown pass with a hand gesture that appeared to imitate him holding a gun.
The high-profile fine comes at the height of the NFL’s crackdown on these gestures.
Within the first six weeks of the season, at least five other stars faced the same penalties for the same types of celebrations, Sports Illustrated reported. All players were told their fine was also the result of unsportsmanlike conduct.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement back in October claiming that the NFL has maintained a long-standing policy against these gestures and that the penalties will continue to be issued.
“We don’t think it’s appropriate in those circumstances and sends the wrong messages,” Goodell said. “So, we’ll continue to do that.”
Even though the penalty comes off a disappointing loss against the Bills, this isn’t the worst fine Mahomes has received in his seven seasons with the Chiefs. Just last year, the Kansas City quarterback was fined $50,000 for “verbally abusing” an official after a Bills game.
Head coach Andy Reid was also penalized for the same game and fined $100,000 for publicly criticizing the officials’ rulings.
This most recent fine is just the nail in the coffin for the Chiefs, though. It lands in the wake of a once undefeated record now turned 9-1.
However, the Chiefs have the chance to redeem themselves at Sunday’s game against the 3-7 Carolina Panthers.
