#NoFunLeague Saga Continues

With the most recent stories of players being fined for “excessive” celebration no matter the cause, where is the line in the sand?

EAST+RUTHERFORD%2C+NJ+--++December+18%2C+2016+--+++New+York+Giants+wide+receiver+Odell+Beckham++Jr.+%2813%29+makes+a+catch+against+Detroit+Lions+defensive+back+Asa+Jackson+%2830%29+and+heads+upfield+during+fourth+quarter+action+at+MetLife+Stadium%0A%0APhoto+permission+via+Flickr+Creative+Commons

Photo by Bruce Adler

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — December 18, 2016 — New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) makes a catch against Detroit Lions defensive back Asa Jackson (30) and heads upfield during fourth quarter action at MetLife Stadium Photo permission via Flickr Creative Commons

As the unforgettable saga of the #NoFunLeague continues it has been met with more unorthodox reasons for fining players for celebration or activities off the field; however, the NFL seems to have made a change as to how these fines are given out, specifically not fining certain players for their ridiculous celebration, and seemingly turning a “blind-eye” to their actions. The NFL has been firm with the fines and penalties but has taken away the idea of equality among the players being fined.

Odell Beckham, Jr. has become one of the best receivers in the NFL despite having only roughly three years of experience in the league. He has made a name for himself for his skills on the field; yet, he is also known for his celebration after making plays. After broadcasting legend Craig Sager passed away from cancer, Beckham paid tribute to Sager by wearing custom cleats honoring the exotic styles of the suits Craig Sager made famous during his sideline reporting. After the game, Beckham auctioned off the cleats to the highest bidder and donated the funds to cancer research. The class act by the Giants top receiver was met by praise from everyone, everyone except the NFL who gave him a hefty fine of $18,000 for the “stunt.”

This fine is being hotly debated after recent antics at the Dallas game only days before. Rookie sensation, Ezekiel Elliott has been having a very impressive season which comes as no surprise considering his college career and his top-five draft position. Week 15 of the NFL has ended on an interesting note which started with Elliott jumping into an oversized Salvation Army red kettle to celebrate his touchdown. The interesting part is that Elliott was not fined for the celebration despite the rules stating players may not use props or anything of the kind in celebration. Elliot, like Beckham, did donate money to the the charity. Odell Beckham, Jr. voiced his displeasure over this after being fined for saving his custom cleats and donating the funds to cancer research, “It’s just the way the world works, there are double standards everywhere. It’s just how life is.” And it’s clear that the NFL has shown an unequal bias with regard to fining Elliott.

As #NoFunLeague grows more and more, a story like this may also help bring changes to these rules and aid in getting an equal rule of fining players no matter who they are, or what they do. This is a ridiculous policy to adopt when deciding who will or will not be fined in the NFL. Beckham got the bad end of it for doing something which was also for a great cause. Where do you stand on this? Does the NFL show a bias towards certain players? Is it affecting how they fine players?  Send us your thoughts in the comment section below.