NFL Fines Ryan Clark $5K for Honoring Sean Taylor, Violating Uniform Dress Code

Oh, the humanity. The NFL continues its assault on common sense and decency, as they flippantly hand out player punishments for any number of absurd transgressions.

The latest scrapbook entry involves Steelers safety Ryan Clark, the former Redskins player who was very close to the late Sean Taylor. Via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

...Clark revealed that he was fined $5,000 by the NFL for wearing eye black with the No. 21 etched into it Sunday. Clark said he did it to honor his late Redskins teammate Sean Taylor, who was murdered in his Florida home last year. Clark, who wears No. 25, wears a No. 21 practice jersey in honor of Taylor. Clark said he will continue to wear the eye black with "21" in it.

I understand that uniforms must conform to certain league guidelines, but at what point does somebody in the NFL Gestapo offices stop and think that fining a player for wearing two-inch-high numbers on his face to honor a fallen teammate could be a public relations disaster.

Yeah, we get it: the NFL will cease to exist as we know it if rules aren't followed TO THE LETTER. Repercussions and consequences and whatnot. The thing is, Commissar Goodell and his minions are already over-legislating, and when it takes Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (who I just figured was a mute because he never seems to talk) to point out that tackle football has become a "pansy game," well, it might be time to re-evaluate things.

Maybe the league should set up a hotline to educate players on which disgusting acts constitute punishable offenses, and those that are just in bad taste. Oh, and don't forget to actually staff the phone banks this time.

Jeebus already.

Life in the No Fun League'

Steelers safety Ryan Clark was fined $5,000 by the NFL for wearing eye black with the No. 21 etched into it. Clark said he did it to honor his late Redskins teammate Sean Taylor, who was murdered in his Florida home last year. Is the NFL overstepping its bounds with unnecessary fines? Click through to see other past policy offenders and decide for yourself.

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

Culprit: Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
What He Did: Went through warm-ups before a game with an "Ocho Cinco" label on his jersey
NFL Fined Him: $5,000

Al Behrman, AP

Culprit: DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles
What He Did: Posed with teammate Quintin Demps after a 68-yard punt return TD
NFL Fined Them: $10,000 each

Tom Mihalek, AP

Culprit: Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints
What He Did: Taunted Bears defenders before somersaulting in for an 88-yard TD reception
NFL Fined Him: $5,000

Getty Images (2)

Culprit: Atlanta Falcons
What They Did: Used posters and uniform modifications to show support for banished QB Michael Vick
NFL Fined Them: A total of $47,500

Chris Graythen, Getty Images

Culprit: Terrell Owens, formerly with the San Francisco 49ers
What He Did: Ran from the end zone to midfield and celebrated on the Cowboys' famous star logo
The 49ers Fine Him: $24,000 along with a one-week suspension

Vern Steinman, AP

Culprit: Joe Horn, formerly with the New Orleans Saints
What He Did: Pulled out a cell phone from inside the goal post padding during a TD celebration
NFL Fined Him: $30,000

Chris Graythen, Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 5 of 6)

10-31-2008 @ 11:03AM

Diane said...

Hitting them in the pocket is the only thing they understand.
You don't like the rules, don't play the game.

10-31-2008 @ 10:58AM

Vic said...

Give me a fricken break,it was last year, and now his so called friend, in the 9th week, of the season, start's to honor him Why now, only to be in the spot light..
All these guy's are just pushing to the limit, on how far they can go, they want to make it the Me Me Me me show,and the hell,with what I play and stand for.
These are grown men acting like little babie's, and acting like fool's, and there is people that back them up, get real people. Let them play football,and leave all there childish act's at home.

10-31-2008 @ 11:00AM

JIM said...

The players are all wearing "GU" on their helmuts for Gene Upshaw, so what's the problem with wearing Sean Taylors # to honor him???????????????????????????????
Come on Goodell, be consistent or retire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10-31-2008 @ 11:38AM

G Nguyen said...

The NFL Commist became The Lord Of The Dark Side???

10-31-2008 @ 11:52AM

Julius said...

Is Goodell trying to find a way to even up the tally of non-enforcement he dispensed on Bilichick and the Patriots by nit-picking every other team and the players therein to death? Why doesn't he address some REAL problems like the abominable officiating that takes place every week?

10-31-2008 @ 11:57AM

Gail said...

Fine the NFL. Players can wear pink and ribbons and such but cannot honor a fellow player? It doesn't matter which sport it is. There should be sportsmanlike conduct and honoring team players is the top of the list. Violating dress code....what a heartless bunch. Pro sports has become so money oriented they forget the human factor.

10-31-2008 @ 12:26PM

nick said...

I guess the NFL is hurting for money.

10-31-2008 @ 2:45PM

Boob said...

Uniform violations are and should be fined. It's an established rule within the league. If a player chooses to wear the wrong color socks during a game because he feels like it, or it's trendy then he should be fined.
In Mr. Clarks case I think a little tact should be used by the NFL. He wore 21 to remember a fall player. A man that was in league, not someone unafiliated. Fine him a token amount and let the record show that he was fined. This shows the rules are upheld and should make everyone happy.
I think that if the league had more players fined for Mr. Clark reasons it would be a whole lot better off.

10-31-2008 @ 12:46PM

LJ said...

This is really disgusting of the commissioners office. Bravo to the player who had the moral fiber to stand up and be counted for doing the right thing by remembering a fallen teammate. Who on earth could his action hurt? With football players getting arrested everyday for rape, wife abuse , drug use and the like, I'd suggest the commissioner needs to look for bigger and MORE APPROPRIATE fish to fry. Refund the fine money.

10-31-2008 @ 2:02PM

buckeyejeff said...

Heck... I am a Browns fan and I say "GO RYAN CLARK"

10-31-2008 @ 7:03PM

John Wilbert said...

Speaking of dress codes, How 'bout some QBs on the sidelines wearing their visored cap backwards? Fine those primadonnas, not wearing #21.

10-31-2008 @ 2:25PM

kent said...

I think that the NFL was right. You it seems everyone made a big deal when the patriots were found to be spying on the jets, and the punishment was deemed to be too lient. i realize that spying is different but everyone wantst the ruled followed and yet when they are, even for a most trivial thing, the NFL is again crticized. Either all the rules get followed or we allow the NFL to make them as they go along and we dont criticize them for wahtever action they take.

10-31-2008 @ 3:06PM

Jason said...

Uhh some of you need to be fined for your dumbass comments. How can you begin to compare Ryan Clark's fine to Spygate. Ryan Clark didnt' take away from the sport or didn't gain an advantage by wearing 21 under his eyes. I don't undrestand this...You can write stuff on your shoes and on your wrist bands but you can't have numbers on your face. What's next? CP and Smoot getting 2 games for wearing a Sean Taylor T-shirt underneath their jersey. Also, why is Matt Jones still playing? That's right, Cocaine distribution is ok but wearing a number is not. Welcome back Ryan Clark...I think the whole DC area has respect for you. These unnessecary rules are goin to come back to haunt you Goodell, just like how David Stern is getting Internationally raped, It's going to get you.

10-31-2008 @ 3:19PM

Jim said...

How about exercising a little heart felt discretion. Of all the things that pass for which punishment should be meted out. This is ridiculous. An absurb power move by the NFL. Fans need to form a "Union" and go on strike. The NFL works for us, not vice versa.

11-03-2008 @ 1:10AM

sammy l cash said...

come on goodell, you got to have some kind of compassion for the players man!!! you done gone over board with this fine. what ever happen to (the NFL CARES). HUH

10-31-2008 @ 4:47PM

redskin95 said...

This is so GAY fine a guy for honoring someone who is dead who was shot last year. This just goes to show that the NFL is all about money...This is really stupid.

10-31-2008 @ 4:53PM

GreatR said...

Next players will be selling space on their uniforms to companies and causes. Perhaps bumper stickers on their rear ends.

11-01-2008 @ 5:24AM

lisa said...

The rules apply to everyone.

10-31-2008 @ 5:39PM

Thatsabsurd said...

Hey Clark you open the account and we'll send a dollar a week to cover your fines.

Just make sure you start the game looking into the camera with #21 painted on....so we can all disc IDIOT Goodell at the same time. And mouth "F U goodell you jackass" along with us. We'll be able to read your lips.

I'm sure there are enough fans that ill send a dollar a week to back you up.