LeBron Calls Holmes' Fine 'Disgusting'

Santonio Holmes recently got tattooed by the NFL to the tune of $10,000 for his Super Bowl touchdown celebration that imitated LeBron James' powder-toss at the beginning of each game.

It was a logical penalty according to the NFL rules, but that doesn't make it any less annoying that amusing NFL celebrations get fined. James apparently agrees too, because when he was informed of the NFL's fine on the Super Bowl MVP, he wasn't very impressed.

"Did he?" James asked. "That's disgusting."

Asked if he thought such celebrations make the game more fun for the fans, James said "absolutely."

"Fun for the fans - fun for me," James said. "I was watching. Us Ohio State Buckeyes, we're alums, man. We've got to stick together."

I'm not entirely sure about the whole "Buckeyes" thing, but I certainly do stand firmly in James' corner here: celebrations in the NFL are awesome as long as they're kept under wraps a little bit. Joe Horn and the cell phone hidden in the goal post a few years back? Probably a bit much, and a touch contrived. Chris Johnson and his impromptu bongo session? Just flat out awesome.

And frankly, it would be nice if Roger Goodell would see the light, a la James, and understand that fans are, by definition, what make football so popular. And, for the most part, we love post-touchdown celebrations as long as they're clever and in somewhat good taste.

Life in the No Fun League'

Santonio Holmes celebrated his Super Bowl-winning touchdown catch by paying homage to LeBron James' pregame powder toss. The NFL fined Holmes $10,000 for the act, which was not penalized during the game. Click through to see more questionable NFL fines over the years.

James Borchuck, St. Petersburg Times / AP

Culprit: Darnell Dockett, Arizona Cardinals
What He Did: Dockett (No. 90) jumped on the back of teammate Antonio Smith and rode him like a rodeo bronco.
NFL Fined Him: $20,000

Kevin Terrell, Getty Images

Culprit: Wes Welker, New England Patriots
What He Did: Made a "Snow Angel" after scoring this Week 16 touchdown in wintry conditions versus Arizona.
NFL Fined Him: $10,000

Stephan Savoia, AP

Culprit: Shaun Ellis, New York Jets
What He Did: Chucked a large block of snow into the Seattle stands in retaliation for fans pelting New York's players with snowballs
NFL Fined Him: $10,000

Joe Robbins, Getty Images

Culprit: Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots
What He Did: Stuffed the ball up his jersey as an end zone tribute to his expectant wife and the couple's yet-to-be-born daughter
NFL Fined Him: $10,000

Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

Culprit: Brandon Jones, Tennessee Titans
What He Did: Simulated an arrest during a touchdown celebration against the Jaguars
NFL Fined Him: $15,000

Doug Benc, Getty Images

Culprit: Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh Steelers
What He Did: Wore eye black with the No. 21 to honor his late Redskins teammate, Sean Taylor
NFL Fined Him: $5,000

Gene J. Puskar, AP

Culprit: Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
What He Did: Played the bongo drums on the sideline after a 66-yard TD run
NFL Fined Him: $10,000

Jamie Squire, Getty Images

Culprit: Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins
What He Did: Performed a choreographed "Cupid Shuffle" dance with teammates
NFL Fined Them: $10,000 each

Doug Benc, Getty Images

Culprit: Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
What He Did: Mocked the Patriots' Spygate scandal by using the football to simulate a camera
NFL Fined Him: $7,500

Eliot J. Schechter, Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-20-2009 @ 10:54PM

yokoach said...

Lebronze has nothing to say about a 'move' that he took from KG....Garnett did that powder toss before every game for years...then Lebronze comes along and all of a sudden it's his "signature"....KG leftovers is what it is...