The NFL reached deep into the pockets of two prolific Bucs players this week. After Tampa Bay’s Week 13 win over the Arizona Cardinals, quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Bucky Irving were hit with $20,840 in fines combined for a post-touchdown celebration after Irving scored that the league arbitrarily deemed a “violent gesture.” Mayfield was hit with a $14,491 bill, while Irving was knocked for $6,349.

Baker Mayfield And Bucky Irving Fined Over Ridiculous Rule By The NFL

The gesture in question? A “nose wipe” — a fairly harmless move that’s been popularized in hip-hop and social media culture. What looked to many like a bit of flair after a hard-earned score drew the league’s ire instead. The NFL, under the aggressive celebration crackdown spearheaded by executive VP Troy Vincent, judged the move disrespectful and labeled it a taunt.

When it was on the field, oddly enough, there was no flag — no 15-yard penalty, no walked-off yardage. The infractions came after the fact, via memos, not whistles. But that didn’t spare Mayfield and Irving from financial discipline. Quite frankly it’s a ridiculous that Baker Mayfield and Bucky Irving have to lose money over this harmless celebration. Who is this hurting? There’s no gun play references nor disrespectful gestures to the opponents, just two players having fun.

The NFL is often deemed the “No Fun League” and this is another example as to why. Players will get fined more for this than an actual illegal hit. A celebration of this nature isn’t hurting the league, but dirty plays and terrible officiating is. The league should be embarrassed to enforce something like this in what was supposed to be an enjoyable moment.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: USA Today

Still, despite the fines, the Bucs are 7–5 and are leading the NFC South Division. It was good to see Irving returning for his first game since September as he had 81 total yards and scored his first rushing touchdown of the season. Mayfield was solid completing 18 of 28 passes for 194 yards and a passing touchdown.

The Bucs are going to need each of these players down the stretch to claim another division title, and that starts with their home game on Sunday against the Saints. It’s already been a busy and very important morning for Bucky Irving as he was baptized this morning. The combination of Irving and Baker Mayfield along with a couple of players returning into the fold for the second half of the season gives Tampa Bay an opportunity to make a run at a championship. Just make sure the celebrations don’t leave them with less money than what they’ve deserved to make after a big play.