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 1 of 6)

11-10-2008 @ 1:56PM

Tim Kroeger said...

Come on! Someone in the NFL has to much time on their hands. I understand punishing the pac man's of the league but Ryan Clark? This guy is a professional and is honoring a fallen teamate - look at the pic to the NFL allowed the number on the back of the helmet but not under your eyes.

10-30-2008 @ 1:46PM

Jason said...

Rip 21....Goodell is flexing his muscles. My heart goes out to all those that were personally connected to Sean Taylor. I only seen him at games and I was emotionally effected by his death as like much of the DC metro area. I can't imagine what his teamates as well as coaches went through...I don't blame J. Gibbs for retiring after that heartfilled rollercoaster of a season. I know that several players are driven by the memory of Sean Taylor...CP, J Candle(campbell), and Tana are having career years. When Ryan Clark was here...he had close ties to Taylor. I liked Clark's flaire and youthful personality that he brought to the lockeroom. It's sad to see players like him get fined for honoring someone that he was close too while the whole nfl honor's GU for what reason? Not every player was affiliated with GU. Why fine players for respecting fallen brothers. That's passion, Goodell is taking passion out of America's game...that's a shame and the downfall of everything good. Let's not let the NFL become like the NBA. Let the players play, fine the druggies and cheaters. Don't fine the passionate! RIP S-Dot.

10-31-2008 @ 8:16AM

Darren said...

I Like you Jason. You are a GOOD MAN.
Darren-

11-06-2008 @ 3:43PM

Phil said...

This is such bull. Since when are you not allowed to honor a fallen teammate? RIP ST21

10-30-2008 @ 5:18PM

Thatsabsurd said...

Goodel let me shake your hand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are by far the biggest freaking IDIOT to walk the face of the earth.

Congratulations jack ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go away goodell.you IDIOT

10-30-2008 @ 10:03PM

robert goldfeder said...

unbelievable. what person in their right mind would fine someone for that. It's love its remebering a loved one. Screw you goddell and the rest of the NFL jerks that enforce that.

10-30-2008 @ 11:11PM

Ryan C said...

The NFL does have a gestapo. They fine Clinton Portis for wearing the wrong color socks? They fine Ryan Clark for honoring a player who was shot to death in his own home? They fine coaches and players who make comments about how bad some of the NFL refs are? (most of the comments are legit too).

Seriously, Goodell. Take your thick head out of your ass. And revoke the fine, because only a bastard like you would fine him.

Seriously, the NFL is out to nickel and dime any player, coach, or staff member that doesn't follow the rules. And while they go on a money run, they have bullshit TV and blackout policies that keep them from getting a larger operating income.

Why didn't Jeb Bush get the job as commish. Because Goodell is a c***. He hasn't done one good thing since he took the job.

10-31-2008 @ 10:52AM

yaketyyaker said...

You said it, nickle and dime anyone not following the rules. How 'bout they follow the rules? They get paid lots of money, way more than is even feasable to most of us, they should follow the rules. Ryan can honor his friend in some other appropiate and commendable way.

10-31-2008 @ 1:14PM

Appropriate? How is putting a decal on your helmet with the numbers "21" inappropriate? After he was killed last year, most, if not all NFL players wore those decals on their helmets for the rest of the season. And now it's against the rules to wear one this season?

10-31-2008 @ 1:18PM

No wonder why they call it the "No Fun League". Does the NFL have people who watch game tape and make sure that every player on the team doesn't have a uniform modification that's against the rules? What's wrong with putting "21" in your eyeblack? I hope this week he puts "F U" in there.

10-31-2008 @ 9:15AM

johaha said...

This reflects very poorly on the NFL' s authoritative positions. Coming up on the one year anniversary of his death, I want to remember a rare Sean Taylor interview in which he claims Ryan Clark to be his favorite player in the league. I could only imagine how close they were and it is sad to see that Ryan Clark cannot even pay tribute to his fallen teammate, even if it is only in his eyes.

10-31-2008 @ 4:50AM

sarge said...

Hey Mr. NFL Commissioner, if you want to fine the player for uniform violation for wearing the eye stuff, why don't you do a uniform violation for several other players in your league. I think that it is a uniform violation to not be able to see the players names being bloacked by all that hair flowing out from under the helmets. I would love to be able to have the chance to put the sheep shears to the hair of that Troy freak from Pittsburgh Steelers, and all the others that wear those ugly dread locks hanging out from under their helmets.

10-31-2008 @ 6:18AM

Goddellreeks said...

It all begins before the NFL. Kids playing high school and college ball are brainwashed and told it's all part of being on a "team". I say BS. Goodell is trying to exercise way too much power over these full grown men. Fines for uniform "violations", fines for too much celebrating and God knows you can't talk about the blind or biased officials. No one seems able to use any common sense. The teams trot these guys out like trained lions for our enjoyment and then complain that there are no on-field leaders. What a flipping joke. What could possibly be the motivation for putting yourself out there??? Seems like an even greater chance to get reamed for something. Goodell can go to hell and take his flunkies with him. He need to leave the game alone and let the fans make an emotional connection with the teams and players. That bond is what keeps 'em in the stands.

proof said...

NFL dropped the "ball"
Sarge's comment, the other player fined for wearin the wrong sox in that game was Sean Taylor.
I live in Canada, I spend NFL Sunday tik $$$, I have 2 dishes, wich they still manage to screw me on skins games.
I own 100+ jerseys.10 Taylors, Signeed helmets and footballs...tons,shirts hats.
I'm paying your bills NFL.
Get your head out of your^%#
It hurts when a freind dies,,,
unless its Marlboro?
DISGRACE

jon said...

get a freakin life heir goodell.dont you have anything better to do than fine the ones that dont deserve it and let the other douche bags out there,(refs),get away with blatant shit.if anyone should get fined ,it should be you for being such a heartless asshole!

10-31-2008 @ 6:30AM

m.mooney said...

aaaah the No Fun Leauge is at it again....someone needs to go postal on the leauges front office...this is pure bullshit at its finest...people like goodell are ruining the game of football and even worse...disrepecting falling players...if i was clark...id mail a check to them....5 grand ...for each game left in the season....then id wear the number 21...and right a letter covered in astroglide..so goodell can stick it up his sorry ass

10-31-2008 @ 6:48AM

Bill said...

The NFL has become the NoN-Football-League. From the rediculus fines like for wearing black shoes and unapproved eye shield ?? Lets get real, you want to protect the Q.b's thats one thing but to get to this point where you can't touch them is sadening. What is next giving them hormone injections to help grow man boobs so if another player gets hit to hard they can come over to him and breast feed like a baby and feel safe? Stupid crap. The days of the Steel Curtain and the Dooms Day Defence are gone and replaced with the Cream Puff League. If the NFL doesn't stop this nonsence they will keep losing viewers to Nascar or some other sunday sideshow. WAKE UP !!!!

10-31-2008 @ 7:22AM

don wojcik said...

A rule is a rule. Where do u draw the line? Some jerk would put a naked pic of his woman perhaps. Clark's heart was on the right place and i applaud him for that. But couldn;t he start a scholarship in his name for some poor minority kid? There are alot of good things he could have done. Players get too many chances in the NFL but the commish should be harder on guys who are the goons.

10-31-2008 @ 7:28AM

Nancy said...

You just don't get it do you??? If they allow Ryan to put 21 on his face what's to stop someone else from putting 666 or some other negitave item on their face???And trust me with all the show offs in the NFL today someone will push it to the limit...

10-31-2008 @ 7:42AM

carl22grant said...

Good. At least someone is setting some standards. After all, these guys are in the entertainment business and they, just like the rest of us, can morn or pay tribute to his fallen teammate in private. They need to stay focused on the game, which is their job, just like the rest of us. After all, it has been more than a few months!