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Ben Baby, ESPN writer
CINCINNATI — Chase Brown’s recent touchdown celebration came with a price.
The NFL fined the Bengals running back $5,481 for jumping into the famous Salvation Army kettle at AT&T Stadium following a touchdown catch in Cincinnati’s 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.
Brown said that as a kid he watched other players, such as Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, jump into the kettle after finding the end zone during the Christmas season. However, Brown said he didn’t know what that could cost him. When informed after the game that the celebration could warrant a fine, his eyes widened and his smile disappeared. At least for a moment.
“I don’t have enough money to pay for that s**t,” he said, laughing.
Players are not allowed to wear props in touchdown celebrations. In 2023, NBC Sports noted that the NFL has been inconsistent in its punitive actions for players who use the Salvation Army red kettle as part of a touchdown celebration. Some are fined but not sanctioned. Others are completely ignored.
Brown was not penalized after his 19-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. Initially, officials ruled it was out of bounds. But after a video review, he was deemed to have walked down the sideline until he crossed the end zone and then jumped into the kettle. It was inside the teapot, he said, that he realized the work might not stand.
Cincinnati had two other fines in the contest. Linebacker Germaine Pratt was fined $16,883 for a hip drop tackle. Safety Geno Stone was fined $22,511 for unnecessary helmet use. Both actions were committed against Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle. Neither of them were penalized during the game.
Safety Donovan Wilson was the only Cowboys player fined for actions in the game. He owes $16,883 for a hip-drop tackle against Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson.
No fine was issued for grabbing Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow’s mask, a play that was also not penalized.
