Falcons’ Drake London Fined $14K For Gun-Like Celebration After Clutch TD vs. Eagles

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IISeptember 21, 2024

Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London has been fined $14,069 for his celebration after a game-tying touchdown en route to a 22-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles last Monday.

Tom Pelissero @TomPelisseroThe NFL fined #Falcons WR Drake London $14,069 for unsportsmanlike conduct/violent gesture — a gun-like celebration that drew a flag after his tying TD in Monday night’s win over the #Eagles. pic.twitter.com/8a1MDj4fDh

ESPN @espnKIRK FINDS DRAKE LONDON IN THE END ZONE WITH LESS THAN A MINUTE LEFT 😱

FALCONS TAKE A ONE-POINT LEAD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/47hDFw2RO1

London caught a seven-yard touchdown pass with 34 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 21. The extra point put Atlanta ahead, and safety Jessie Bates III picked off Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts on the ensuing drive to put the win on ice.

London’s celebration led to the Falcons being called for a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. The penalty was assessed on the PAT, but Koo nailed the extra point for the edge.

During the week, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris defended London and said he was not intending to use his fingers and arms to pantomime a gun.

The Coachspeak Index @CoachspeakIndex#Falcons HC Raheem Morris on Drake London’s gun celebration that was flagged:

“Drake is a great kid. His intent was not as a use of a weapon. He probably was shooting t-shirts into the stands, to be honest with you, because he’s just that kind of a guy.” pic.twitter.com/qFWFK9SfKn

London wasn’t the only player to get flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct in Week 2. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network provided more incidents.

Tom Pelissero @TomPelisseroThe NFL fined #Saints QB Derek Carr $14.069 for unsportsmanlike conduct/obscene gesture — a crotch grab as part of his Michael Jackson celebration last week.pic.twitter.com/ipSDWlvyY3

Tom Pelissero @TomPelisseroThe NFL fined #Eagles S C.J. Gardner-Johnson $11.255 for unsportsmanlike conduct (taunting) and #Falcons WR Ray-Ray McCloud $10,528 for unnecessary roughness as a result of their run-in last week.pic.twitter.com/Ph3Jcxy1dd

Tom Pelissero @TomPelisseroThe NFL fined #Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase $31,599 for unsportsmanlike conduct — screaming at referee Alex Kemp, who flagged Chase for abusive language.

Chase wanted a flag for a hip-drop tackle on Trent McDuffie, who was neither flagged nor fined. pic.twitter.com/Imteg1jDbX

Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy was also fined $11,255 afrer pointing finger guns at Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell.