Another NFL week, another week where the league is making very questionable decisions on what deserves a fine. This week’s decisions — regarding what happened in Week 9 — may be the most controversial of the season.
The NFL chose to fine Chicago Bears linebacker Cassius Marsh for a taunting penalty that most viewers of the Bears-Steelers game thought was bogus to begin with. Referee Tony Corrente called the taunting penalty at a crucial moment late in the fourth quarter (this went a long way to deciding the game in a 29-27 Steelers win), despite appearing to be the one initiating contact with Marsh to justify the highly questionable call- which was about Marsh basically just staring at the Pittsburgh sideline.
Referee Tony Corrente literally leans in to bump Tony Marsh so that he can call the penalty on him. pic.twitter.com/NpDYICPUdH
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 9, 2021
Marsh was fined $5,972 on Saturday for “unsportsmanlike conduct.” He’s making just $126,000 this season, so $5,972 is pretty significant money taken away from him. He understandably plans to appeal the fine.
The NFL not only stands behind Monday night’s controversial taunting call against #Bears LB Cassius Marsh — the league informed Marsh on Friday he's being $5,972 for unsportsmanlike conduct, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 13, 2021
So that drew a fine, but a dirty play by New England Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones that injured another player did not.
Patriots’ QB Mac Jones was not fined for grabbing and twisting the ankle of Panthers’ DE Brian Burns. The action, which could’ve been penalized for holding, did not rise to the level of a fine in the NFL’s opinion.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 13, 2021
After being sacked by Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns and fumbling on Sunday, Jones grabbed and twisted the ankle of Burns. Jones should’ve been called for holding, but no penalty was called. Burns was in pain and exited the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury.
Here's our angle of the play https://t.co/eq5wKqZVaU pic.twitter.com/BC7yqalUxW
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) November 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/philorbanWSOC9/status/1457743909384335361
So, Marsh is penalized and fined for what was basically phantom “taunting,” and Jones gets away with no penalty and no fine for a dirty play that injured another player. Got it.
Here’s a sampling of how the NFL world reacted to these decisions by the league:
The @NFL triples down on the most insane officiating decision in memory.
I wish Cassius Marsh could fight this one to the Supreme Court. https://t.co/c8uu2rO4Jd— Peter King (@peter_king) November 13, 2021
Oh. Sure. *THIS* did not ride to the level of a fine in the NFL’s eyes. But POSTURING is a problem. 🙄 https://t.co/Bp5znN7Sqt
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) November 13, 2021
So let me get this straight…Mac Jones wasn't fined for grabbing and twisting a defender's ankle but Cassius Marsh was fined almost $6,000 because the ref didn't like his posture after he made a big play?
No way this is real life.
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) November 13, 2021
But Cassius Marsh is fined because the NFL is afraid that opposing player’s feelings may get hurt. https://t.co/KJqHo2Jntf
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) November 13, 2021
Taunting or not, I really don’t understand the point in fining Cassius Marsh.
I’m sure the Steelers weren’t emotionally damaged by Marsh enough to warrant making him pay $5k. #Bears
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) November 13, 2021
Cassius Marsh was fined $5,972 for an act that might or might not have been taunting — the ref literally had to read body language to make the call.
Aaron Rodgers was fined $14,560 for brazenly, defiantly & purposely flouting COVID-19 rules MULTIPLE times.
Doesn't seem right. https://t.co/nMrJzNUnJt
— Mark Potash (@MarkPotash) November 13, 2021
– Mac Jones tries out for MMA: Not fined
– Cassius Marsh traumatized John Mara and Art Rooney II: $6k fine
– Aaron Rodgers violates COVID protocols: $15k fine
– CeeDee Lamb repeatedly untucks shirt: $20k fine
– Denzel Perryman for unpenalized targeting: $55k fineThe NFL, folks! https://t.co/0KYO79ViXN
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) November 13, 2021
Mac Jones was not fined for this, but Cassius Marsh was fined for staring 🤷♂️
Embarrassing. https://t.co/dE3gIy6319
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 13, 2021
Mac Jones: Breaks a dude’s ankle on purpose.
No fine
Cassius Marsh: Looks at Steelers sideline.
— FullCountTommy (@FullCountTommy) November 13, 2021
Aaron Rodgers violating health and safety protocols during a worldwide pandemic = $14k fine
Cassius Marsh staring at people = $5,972 fine.
Seems about right 🥲
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) November 13, 2021
But Marsh was fined lol. League is a joke. https://t.co/Vvun3lHr6K
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) November 13, 2021
The #NFL is a mess. Read the two headlines below. 🤦🏻♂️
▪️”Bears Cassius Marsh fined for taunting”
▪️”Patriots Mac Jones not fined for grabbing Brian Burns ankle”
— Lawrence Tynes (@lt4kicks) November 13, 2021
https://twitter.com/BearsFanatico94/status/1459641853075206147
EJ Speed was fined north of 5K for this while Mac Jones was not fined for trying to injure Brian Burns. Make it make sense NFL pic.twitter.com/oQqfcmaMQQ
— Logan 👁️ (@ThereGoLog) November 13, 2021
Let’s pretend the tables were turned. Let’s say Burns did this to Mac Jones. Now does Burns get fined? https://t.co/Xgkk02EPIs
— NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) November 13, 2021
