JJ Watt criticizes NFL over fine given to Lions star player

Watt criticizes NFL's decision to fine Amon-Ra St. Brown

Former NFL player J.J. Watt has criticized the NFL's decision to fine Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown was fined $43,709 for a block on a running play against the Chicago Bears. He was penalized for lowering his head while initiating contact. Watt took to X to express his opinion on the matter, stating that the NFL was 'stealing money.'

Watt further stated, 'General rule of thumb: If you have to watch the video multiple times to try figuring out which person did something wrong and you still can’t figure it out, we probably shouldn’t be taking $43,709 from someone. This. Is. Stealing. Money.' He questioned the rationale behind such excessive fines for routine football plays.

This is not the first time Watt has spoken out against the NFL's fine system. He previously expressed his concern about unnecessary roughness penalties and the fines associated with them. Watt believes that these fines are being imposed on players for routine football plays and that it is 'mind-blowing' to him.

Watt questions the purpose of excessive fines

Watt raised questions about the purpose of the NFL's excessive fines. He suggested that they could be a result of posturing for the next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations or an attempt by the NFL to show that they are trying to address player safety concerns. Watt stated, 'When you have to run the play back 10 times to figure out which guy even got fined, like what’re we doing here?'

He also highlighted the concerns raised by NFL Players Association president J.C. Tretter about the excessive fines. Tretter stated that players feel the fines are becoming less about player safety and more about being punitive. Players are being penalized and fined for actions they are being coached to execute. Watt emphasized the need for the union and the NFL to work together to find a solution that prioritizes player safety without creating confusion and frustration among players and fans.

Calls for a better system and common sense application of rules

Both Watt and Tretter believe that the current system of fines needs to be revisited and reviewed. They argue that the rules should be applied with common sense and that players should have a better understanding of their rights to appeal fines. Tretter called for the NFL to create a new point of emphasis that does not result in escalating fines on players for routine football plays.

Watt concluded by stating that the overall goal should be to eliminate dangerous play, but the current system is not fully achieving it. He called for collaboration between the union and the NFL to find a solution that prioritizes player safety and ensures a fair and consistent application of the rules.