NFL Sends Memo to Teams About Sportsmanship Before 2025 Playoffs amid Uptick in Fines

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJanuary 9, 2025

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NFL senior vice president of officiating administration Perry Fewell sent a memo to general managers and head coaches of the 14 teams that made the playoffs regarding “the importance of sportsmanship” with the postseason set to begin Saturday.

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports obtained the memo and relayed it on Thursday.

“At this level of competition emotions will run high, but no amount of emotion should give way to demeaning and offensive words, taunting, or other non-football acts,” Fewell wrote. “No one wants a penalty, or a player ejection, to determine the outcome of a game.”

Fines for on-field acts have sharply risen from 2023. Per Jones, the NFL issued 419 fines over last year’s regular season and playoffs. This season, the NFL issued 484 fines through the first 17 regular-season weeks. The NFL issued 10 fines for taunting or violent gestures in Weeks 16 and 17 alone. Fines have not yet been announced for Week 18.

Per Spotrac, three players received Week 17 fines for obscene gestures. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce got one for a celebration after he dunked the football over the crossbar in honor of ex-Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez. Five players received fines for unsportsmanlike conduct.

At least 11 players have been ejected from games this year, per CBS Sports research cited by Jones. Of note, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Troy Pride, Dallas receiver Jalen Brooks and Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown were all ejected and then fined during a skirmish in Philadelphia’s 41-7 win over Dallas on Dec. 29.

Perhaps the spate of fines precipitated the message as more eyes land on the NFL for the postseason. Fewell notably called for sportsmanship “as the competition escalates on the most visible platform in the world.”

“This memo is a reminder that the NFL standard of Sportsmanship will be strictly enforced during the playoffs,” Fewell wrote.

“Please assist Game Officials by encouraging sportsmanship, respect, and high standards of excellence as the competition escalates on the most visible platform in the world.

“Your active goodwill in emphasizing Sportsmanship and alerting your players and coaches to our position regarding non-football acts is greatly appreciated.”

This year’s playoffs kick off Saturday when the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. for an AFC Wild Card matchup.