NFL Fines Browns Players for Marijuana-Themed Celebration
Quarterback Deshaun Watson, running back Quinshon Judkins, and guard Austin Barber penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The NFL has fined Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, running back Quinshon Judkins, and guard Austin Barber for unsportsmanlike conduct during a Week 4 touchdown celebration. The players were penalized for imitating the smoking of a marijuana cigarette after Judkins scored a second-quarter touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Judkins and Watson each received a fine of $14,397, while Barber was fined $6,944. Video footage of the celebration shows Judkins appearing to take a puff from an imaginary cigarette before passing it to Barber, who then passes it to Watson.
This disciplinary action comes amid a league crackdown on "vulgar acts" and celebrations that depict drug use. The NFL's guidance states that gestures depicting violence, drug use, or sexual acts will result in discipline.
In a separate incident, the league had initially fined San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk $14,926 for a touchdown celebration in Week 2, which was interpreted as imitating drinking a beer. However, the NFL later rescinded the fine after Juszczyk clarified he was simulating drinking a juice box and noted the hypocrisy given the league's sponsorships. The league subsequently issued guidance that beverage-related celebrations would not be punishable, but emphasized that other gestures, including those depicting smoking or drug use, would still be subject to discipline.