The Las Vegas Raiders had a poor start in the 2023 NFL season. Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury has been a setback for the team alongside their lackluster 4-5 record placing them at the third spot in the AFC West. After getting embroiled in a losing streak, they finally witnessed a win in their recent match against the New York Giants.
While the 30-6 victory might be a reason to be happy for the Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, he also faced a major blow by getting slapped with a controversial fine. The former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt didn’t like how the league is handing hefty fines to the players this season.
JJ Watt criticize NFL league for stealing money
The NFL’s move to reduce violence is undoubtedly laudable, but the 2023 NFL season has seen many questionable fines. The NFL community has been venting their frustration on the league due to their debating calls, and JJ Watt is no exception to this as well.
As the news about Jacobs’ fine started circulating, the Texans former defensive end provided his take on the matter saying the league is “STEALING MONEY” from the players in the name of “making the game safer.”
“I’m all for making the game safer, I’m all for fining plays that are intentfully (sic) malicious, I’m all for protecting players. But we are STEALING MONEY from players for playing football,” he said per ClutchPoints.
The ex-NFL star had frequently showcased his resentment to the league for charging fines on the players unnecessarily. The Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Patrick Ricard had been charged a $21,694 fine in Week 8 only for cutting a block tackle at the six-yard line. Watt slammed the league with the same claim of stealing money from the players.
I will say it again… This is STEALING money from guys.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 5, 2023
These absurd fines for routine football plays have got to stop.
Fines for intentfully malicious plays?
Absolutely.
Taking $21,694 from a guy for this?!
What are we doing. This is out of control. https://t.co/GC05qoUScs
Days back, the Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Warren was handed a $48,556 fine for a block against Los Angeles Rams Michael Hoecht. Watt shaded the league following the announcement with the same claim.
NFL slaps Raiders’ Josh Jacobs with hefty fine for unnecessary roughness
In the Raiders win over the Giants on Sunday, Josh Jacobs played a crucial role by having 98 rushing yards along with two touchdowns. However, the league faded his happiness by handing him a $21,855 fine for unnecessary roughness. According to the NFL rulebook, “Lowering the head to initiate contact with the helmet is a foul”, and the RB was charged with a fine for committing this mistake.
The NFL fined Raiders RB Josh Jacobs $21,855 for unnecessary roughness for this play. Lowering the helmet to initiate contact is a point of emphasis this season, and here's another running back getting fined. pic.twitter.com/rZWWVeXAKX
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) November 11, 2023
However, the Raiders star wasn’t pleased with this unnecessary financial blow, and took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to provide his take. Tagging the league in a post that detailed his fine, he wrote, “y’all gotta chill with the bs”.
@NFL y’all gotta chill with the bs https://t.co/F7pvmc3oB1
— Josh Jacobs (@iAM_JoshJacobs) November 11, 2023
Meanwhile, another RB to get slapped with a hefty fine alongside Josh was the Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Aker. He was charged a $8,065 fine for pointing at a defender after tackling him.
What’s your take on the NFL’s recent fines? Do you also think that the league is handing many controversial fines lately? Tell us in the comments.
