“Fans Outraged as NFL Fines Saints’ Derek Carr $14K for Michael Jackson-Inspired Touchdown Celebration”
NFL and New Orleans Saints fans are in an uproar over the fine quarterback Derek Carr received for his touchdown celebration last week.
The Saints have been emerging as one of the most dangerous teams this season, putting up record-breaking stats in their first two games. They’ve scored the most points in any two-game stretch in NFL history, which led Carr to celebrate with a dance in the end zone after their dominant win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Carr is off to a potentially MVP-caliber season with his performance leading the Saints’ offense. Though it’s still early—just two weeks into the season—Carr’s last 10 games, stretching back to last year, have been incredibly impressive.
During the blowout against the Cowboys, Carr was clearly enjoying himself and pulled off a Michael Jackson-inspired celebration after one of his touchdowns. He nailed the iconic crotch grab made famous by MJ, but has now been hit with a hefty fine for the dance.
The NFL has fined Saints quarterback Derek Carr $14,000 for his touchdown celebration, which imitated Michael Jackson’s famous crotch grab.
While many were surprised by the dance, Carr explained that those who know him are aware of his dancing skills. “People don’t know a lot about me… but at weddings or birthdays, I’m always dancing,” Carr said via ESPN. “One time I did the Michael Jackson and my brothers told me, ‘Bro, you have to do that if you score.’”
Unfortunately, the Cowboys fans were treated to what ended up being a $14,000 dance, as Carr was fined for his celebration. Carr didn’t address the fine, choosing instead to focus on their upcoming game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“It’s going to be awesome,” Carr said via NFL.com. “We had to prove ourselves to our fans. We didn’t play well enough for them last year.”
Fans of the NFL were quick to react to the penalty, with many arguing that Carr was unfairly punished. Some suggested that had it been a different team or player, the outcome would have been different. Others expressed disbelief that the celebration even warranted a fine:
“We’re getting fined for celebrations. We are so back!” one Saints fan said.
“The league is that desperate for money? That’s embarrassing,” commented another.
“Derek Carr is playing well enough to get fined by the league,” added one fan.
“Let Patrick Mahomes or Travis Kelce do it and it’d be fine. This is lame,” another fan chimed in.
“A fine for that? Ridiculous, they can’t even celebrate,” said another.
One fan even offered to pay the fine for Carr, saying, “Send me the bill right now!”
Another remarked, “It feels like they’re trying to find new ways every season to make the NFL worse on purpose.”
One particularly frustrated Saints fan claimed, “This is the start of another Bounty Gate/No Call situation. The league can’t stand when the Saints are good, so they punish us.”
Fans seem divided—some feel the fine was excessive, while others might think it was deserved. Do you believe Carr’s celebration warranted the penalty, or was it an overreach?