New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and the league have a differing opinion on his latest fine.
Beckham is appealing the $24,309 penalty levied by the league for an unsportsmanlike conduct call against the Baltimore Ravens, according to a source. The fine was for taking off his helmet after exiting the end zone while celebrating his game-winning 66-yard touchdown. He was flagged on the play.
It was Beckham's fourth fine in six games this season, raising his total to $96,772. It's starting to get frustrating.
"They fine me for everything," Beckham said earlier this year. "They fine me for smiling."
In this case, the rule (Section 3, Article 1, Item h) states that it's unsportsmanlike conduct for: "removal of his helmet by a player in the field of play during a celebration or during a confrontation with a game official or any other player."
The sticking point here is "in the field of play." Beckham was out of the back of the end zone and ran directly to the sideline once his helmet was removed. He was not technically in the field of play.
This is his argument with the league in hope of having the fine reduced or rescinded. Giants receiver Victor Cruz won his appeal on a celebration fine earlier this year.
Beckham's history may not help. In Week 1, he was involved in that group celebration with Cruz that cost him $12,154. In Week 2, he was docked $36,000 for a hit on New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro. After Week 4, he was docked $24,309 for taunting Xavier Rhodes during a Monday Night Football game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Beckham leads the Giants with 40 receptions for 630 yards and three touchdowns this season. He was limited Sunday with a hip/abdominal injury in London against the Los Angeles Rams, but he still made the biggest offensive play of the game when he came down with a jump ball for a 22-yard gain in the fourth quarter of the 17-10 win. The Giants scored the winning touchdown several plays later.
Beckham spent Monday getting treatment and was "pretty sore."
He has time to heal up. The Giants are on their bye and don't play until Nov. 6, when they host the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium.