The National Football League has been cracking down over excessive celebrations over the past few seasons.
Many players have dubbed the NFL as the “no fun league” because of some of the fines and punishments levied recently.
And Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes just got his first taste of that type of punishment.
According to The NFL Network, Mahomes was fined over $14,000 for what the league is calling a “violent gesture.”
During last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, Mahomes celebrated a touchdown pass with his arms appearing to look like he was drawing a gun.
Though Mahomes was not flagged during the play, the NFL has been cracking down on celebrations that may look like guns.
Here’s a replay of Mahomes celebration that led to the fine.
The NFL fined #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes $14,069 for unsportsmanlike conduct (violent gesture) as he celebrated a touchdown pass last week in Buffalo … pic.twitter.com/dXgnmYJSYp
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 23, 2024
Last month, the league had grown “concerned” about the amount of “gun-related” celebrations, causing them to come up with stricter penalties for it.
According to Spotrac, the NFL has handed out 17 fines for “obscene gestures” this season – there were no such fines in 2023.
“[The rule] has been in the books for years, and it hasn’t really surfaced… haven’t really noticed it that much until this year,” one league executive said to CBS Sports last month. “Now it’s almost an epidemic of them.”
“We don’t think it’s appropriate.… It sends the wrong message,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell added at the time.
Mahomes was fined $50,000 last year for “verbally abusing” an official.
It’s not known if Mahomes will appeal his latest fine.