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Jeremy Fowler, senior NFL national reporter 7y

Steelers' Brown appeals $24K fine for TD celebration: 'I can't stop having fun'

NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

PITTSBURGH -- Steelers receiver Antonio Brown says he doesn't want to actively break NFL rules, but he still doesn't understand why end zone celebrations are costing him five figures.

Brown got hit with a $24,309 fine for twerking in the end zone during Sunday's win over Kansas City, his second such unsportsmanlike offense. Brown is appealing the fine, saying "I can't stop having fun."

"You can't really complain about the rules. You always want to stay positive," Brown said. "But in the midst of everything, we need more clarification in regards to what I can and cannot do. I don't think excessive celebrating should cost more than hitting guys in the helmet -- $24,000 for a guy scoring touchdowns and having fun is more than a guy getting hit in the head, targeting with the helmet."

Impermissible use of the helmet or a hit on a defenseless player merits a $24,309 fine. It's the same fine amount, but Brown's point is taken -- one is for dangerous play, another is for getting down.

The NFL has a rule banning "sexually suggestive" behavior on the field.

Brown, through two fines for dancing and another $9,115 tab for wearing baby blue cleats in Week 1, has accumulated $45,578 in fines through four weeks.

When pointed out that fines aren't "fun," a word he used repeatedly Friday, Brown said, "I can write it off."

Brown doesn't think he's getting the same benefit of the doubt as other players dancing in the end zone.

"I tried to minimize with two [pumps] -- still there was a fine."

Denver Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders also twerked in the end zone after a touchdown last weekend and was not fined or flagged.

"The plan is to continue to win," Brown said when asked about his future end zone plans.

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