What Things Can Players Be Fined for in the NFL?

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning signed a 5-year, $90 million contract in July 2011 to become one of the two highest-paid players in the National Football League (tying the $18 million per year average of New England quarterback Tom Brady). Not all of the league's 1,900 players earn such enormous paychecks, but they all do well: the league minimum base salary for rookies in 2011 was $355,000. Players capitalize on their short-term earning capacity with various bonuses, but also by avoiding fines and adhering to league and team policies. Players can be fined for numerous offenses: from drug use and aggressive play to social media usage and inappropriate personal conduct.

  1. Alcohol and Drug Use

    • One of the most frequently committed and seriously punished offenses for players in the NFL is violating the league's Substance Abuse Policy. In November 2010, the Denver Broncos punished D.J. Williams, one of its defensive co-captains, after he was arrested a second time on drunken driving charges. The Broncos removed his captain title and benched him for the start of the next game. Teams can fine players, per NFL policy, up to one game's paycheck, which for Williams could have been about $216,000; the linebacker was only fined about $15,000.

    Rough Play

    • After one weekend in October 2010, three players were fined by the league in an effort to discourage dangerous hits on defenseless offensive players. James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers, fined more than $100,000 over the course of that season, received the most expensive fine (originally $75,000; reduced to $50,000), while Atlanta's Dunta Robinson ($50,000 to $25,000) and New England's Brandon Meriweather ($50,000 to $40,000) were also punished for hits to the head. Several players were injured that weekend, which prompted the NFL to announce that it would become more strict about disciplining dangerous hits.

    Inappropriate Personal Conduct

    • Like the league's rules on drug and alcohol use, its policy for inappropriate personal conduct applies to players' actions in relation to the public. In November 2006, Michael Vick, who, at the time was the quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, lost his temper after fans started heckling his team in a game against the New Orleans Saints, and made obscene gestures toward them. The NFL found the gestures to be in violation of its personal conduct policy and fined Vick $20,000, half of which he paid to the league and the other half he gave to charity.

    Social Media Violations

    • One of the league's most recently developed policies regulates social media use. Starting 90 minutes before the game, players must refrain from logging into and using social media until after the game is finished and traditional media -- newspapers, radio, television -- have had a chance to interview players and coaches. In December 2010, Baltimore Ravens left tackle Michael Oher was injured and left the game. He logged onto Twitter and tweeted that he was OK before the game was over, and the NFL fined him $5,000. Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco was fined $25,000 for tweeting during a preseason game that year.

    Other Minor Infractions

    • There are several other offenses for which NFL players can be penalized and fined. For example: missing mandatory team training and practice sessions; criticizing league officials, on the field or in the media; dressing in an improper uniform; and gameplay violations such as initiating sideline interference (when a player on the sideline leaves the bench and interferes with the game in progress). Carolina's Tyler Brayton was fined $15,000 for the latter in December 2010.