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Despite NFL fine, Pierre Thomas defends giving a fan a gift

Atlanta Falcons v New Orleans Saints

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 26: Running back Pierre Thomas #23 of the New Orleans Saints heads towards the seats as he put a bow and attaches it to the football after scoring on a four-yard touchdown run against the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 26, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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Pierre Thomas was fined $7,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct for putting a bow on a football and giving it to a fan, and another $5,000 for wearing red and green tape. But he says it was worth it.

Thomas, whose bow-on-football stunt came after he scored a touchdown and also got the Saints a 15-yard penalty, said he was glad he did it.

In comments to the Associated Press, Thomas said he was happy he “gave a lucky fan a wonderful gift.” He said he didn’t know the woman but noticed her wearing Saints gear and wanted to thank her for being a fan.

Teammates taped a red bow to the notice of the fine on Thomas’s locker.