Titans defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil took exception to a penalty thrown against the Tennessee defense for encroachment.
And so Cecil took matters into his own hands in the home game against the Broncos. More accurately, he took matters into his own finger.
Per a league source who was watching the game (and various Twitter users who have commented on it), Cecil gave the middle finger to an official. The image was caught the live broadcast of the game.
Last year, Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 for giving two middle fingers in the direction of the Buffalo sideline. Earlier this year, the Jets fined Rex Ryan $50,000 for giving the finger at an event away from the workplace.
Our guess? The fine will land somewhere between $75,000 and $125,000.
UPDATE: A reader has sent in a screen shot of the incident. Cecil should protect that hand for the rest of the game; he’ll need it to write a check. (Robert Littal has the photo at BlackSportsOnline.com. And here’s the video.)
SECOND UPDATE: NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says that the fine “will depend on the full set of circumstances.”
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The worst part is,the call was correct. Unlike the roughing the passer call from earlier.
Stay classy, Tennessee. Like owner, like coaches, like players…
so can we see the picture? please lol
It’s only a game.
What an idiot.
what a meathead.
have some classs and self-respect. this sort of behavior is petty and juvenile.
I think its sad that an illegal, dangerous hit earns you a 5000 dollar fine, but harmlessly flipping the bird to someone gets you 100,000. Thats just outrageous to me.
Maybe Chuck was just showing everybody his IQ.
On the other hand, if his actions helped inspire his defense to stop the Broncs, maybe it was worth it! Such moments of insanity have been known to be hyper-productive or just the opposite. I’m sure that today’s win will make Chuck forget about it.
Until tomorrow, at least.
Oops, I erroneously thought that Titans was final when they were ahead.
Soooo, Chuck, we really chucked up, didn’t we??
That sets a poor example for our youth.
Without missing a beat, play by play man Kevin Harlan says Chuck Cecil just gave the Hawaiian peace sign.