Tennessee Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck had plenty of reasons to celebrate on Sunday, with a two-interception game that earned him the AFC defensive player of the week award in a win over the Rams.
But the NFL didn’t like the way Bulluck celebrated, and now it’s going to cost him.
Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reports that Bulluck has been fined $10,000 for throwing the ball in the stands following one of his interceptions.
The going rate for throwing a ball in the stands is usually $5,000, but Bulluck was apparently fined double the normal amount because he’s a repeat offender. Bulluck was fined $5,000 for throwing the ball in the stands after an interception against the Colts this season.
Bulluck says he’s just trying to give a lucky fan a souvenir.
“I am out there having fun, I am not worried about it,” Bulluck said. “I feel like baseball games, fans can get foul balls, hockey games, fans get to keep the puck. If I get my hands on the ball I’ll let the fans have it.”
Yeah, GoodGOD-ell is renegging on the POW award for Bulluck.
Yeah I don’t understand this rule in the slightest…
Seriously what’s the theory behind it? Is the NFL so cash-strapped that they can’t afford a ball or two?
For that matter they should take down the nets behind the goalposts… These people are shelling out $100+ to go to gave…
GIVE THEM THE DAMN BALL!
Keith Bulluck rocks!
He had good intentions, but those never go unpunished.
How about adding a running total for fines doled out this year next to the ” Days without An Arrest”
I completely agree with Bulluck’s sentiments. The NFL needs to stop being so cheap and let these guys toss TD balls to the fans.
# JP Ryan says: December 18, 2009 4:46 PM
Yeah I don’t understand this rule in the slightest…
Seriously what’s the theory behind it? Is the NFL so cash-strapped that they can’t afford a ball or two?
For that matter they should take down the nets behind the goalposts… These people are shelling out $100+ to go to gave…
GIVE THEM THE DAMN BALL!
It’s simple. In this country everyone sues everyone else. If he threw the ball into the stands and someone was actually injured or is just looking for a payday they would begin the process of suing the NFL, the club and maybe the player for fun.
Yes I agree that it is stupid, but I’m sure the rule is in place based upon the opinions of the NFL’s legal team.
I’ll give Bulluck ten grand to throw Goodell into the stands.
Keith Bulluck is a stud, a man among boys.
Congratulations to him and to hell with the fine.
Bulluck does it w/ every interception he gets (always has) and he gets fined everytime but he doesn’t care. He’ll keep doing it for the reasons he said.
This makes the NFL look like petty cheapasses.
I’m with Bulluck on this one. It shouldn’t just be action, but intent. Bulluck wasn’t smiting the other team, he was just sharing a game ball.
Stupid NFL.
Always understood the $5,000 fine per game ball. Been that way for quite awhile, no biggie, players can afford it.
Lost me with the repeat offender bullsh*t though.
That is just silly.
Keep up the good work players!
Each passing week makes the Comish look more and more like a prudie ass who used to lose his lunch money to the jocks back in school.
Having been at a game many years ago, with my Aunt, she actually caught a ball that went into the stands. And then was brutally assualted by several drunken louts who wanted it more. When I went to her aid, I was punched and kicked by these same louts, I was 9 at the time!
Thats why the screens went up, and the rule was put in!
No Fun League…ugh. Fire Roger Goodell and only let him be in charge of disciplinary action for off-field issues. When the players are having fun, they get fined. What sense does that make? Get rid of these lame penalties and fines against celebrating. The NFL is an emotional game and should be shown as one. I hate the NFL for trying to make a league of robots running around the field
@eagledan: While I sympathize (and believe me I do), that sounds like a reason to improve stadium security, not ban throwing footballs into the stands…