05 November 2023 , 15:39
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J.J. Watt has slammed the NFL for dishing out "absurd fines for routine football plays" as he refused to relent in his campaign.
The former Houston Texans star's comments come following Patrick Ricard's $21,694 fine for "unnecessary roughness," something which led Watt to accuse the league of "stealing money." The incident occurred as the Baltimore Ravens took on the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Week 8.
Part way into the second quarter of the game, Ricard made a “cut block” tackle at the six-yard line - a legal move - but was slapped with a $21,694 fine for "unnecessary roughness" following the team's 31-24 win. The decision to fine Ricard has been met with resistance from fans, and has drawn heavy criticism from Watt in a post on Twitter.
Responding to a video showing the incident the 34-year-old reacted with frustration, saying: "I will say it again… This is STEALING money from guys. "These absurd fines for routine football plays have got to stop. Fines for [sic] intentfully malicious plays? Absolutely. Taking $21,694 from a guy for this?! What are we doing. This is out of control."
"And don’t tell me it’s about “player safety”," he added in a second post. "Cut blocks are legal. You can LITERALLY target a players knee with your helmet intentionally. So don’t act like we’re on some high and mighty “player safety” crusade."
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NFL fans were quick to agree with Watt's post, with one user responding via X: "Theft, exactly. I’ve watched this ten times and I can’t figure what it is they think he must do differently to not have his money taken. If that nothing play is a fineable direct run block, they’re just trying to push fullbacks into extinction. Pathetic."
"I agree," another user posted. "Why are there fines for penalties anyway? I get fining for misconduct, etc but plays on the field seem ridiculous. Just call it a flag and leave it at that." This isn't the first issue that Watt has taken umbrage with in recent days. The former NFL star also hit out at the league after Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was hit with two mammoth fines this season.
Warren was forced to pay $39,000 for lowering his head during a catch and run against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. He was then ordered to fork out $48,333 in Week 7 for a block made against Los Angeles Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht.
“This is literally stealing money from a guy,” Watt said on social media. ”I mean what are we doing here? I don’t care how much money you make, $48,556 is a LOT of money (it’s Jaylen Warren’s entire game check) and we’re taking it away from him for this? Really? This is horrendous.” Ahead of Week 9, over $3,210,250 worth of fines has been accumulated by the NFL so far this season.