Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown found himself in a bit of hot water after celebrating a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15. His festive jump into a Salvation Army kettle, while highlighting the charitable organization's presence, resulted in a $5,000 fine from the NFL.
Brown's touchdown, a 19-yard reception from quarterback Joe Burrow, contributed to the Bengals' 27-20 victory over the Cowboys. However, his celebratory leap into the iconic red kettle landed him on the wrong side of the league's rules.
The running back expressed his intention to appeal the fine during an appearance on The Athletic's "Scoop City" podcast. He suggested a compromise, hoping to reduce the fine and donate the remaining amount to The Salvation Army. Brown also pointed out the prevalence of the kettles around the field, jokingly referring to them as "bait."
Brown, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has emerged as a key player for the Bengals this season. Through 14 games, he has accumulated 832 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, adding another 47 receptions for 318 yards and four receiving touchdowns.
This incident isn't the first time an NFL player has faced a fine for using the Salvation Army kettle as a prop in a touchdown celebration. Several Dallas Cowboys players, including Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and others, have been penalized for similar actions in recent years.
