Lots of touchdowns get scored during an NFL season. Sometimes, though, players will chuck the ball into the stands after crossing the goal line.
One recent moment where this happened featured Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who launched a ball into the stands after a walk-off touchdown in overtime against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13 of the 2023 NFL season.
With NFL players frequently throwing the ball into the stands, it begs the question: Do they get fined for giving away footballs to the fans?
Rules Around Throwing the Football Into the Stands
According to the NFL’s football operations website, throwing a football into the stands does incur a fine. However, just giving a ball to a fan does not. In Pittman’s case from last year, he was fined since he launched the ball into the stands.
Michael Pittman Jr. after walk-off TD: ‘The first thing that crossed my mind was is this fine $2,000 or $6,000? And I was like eff it and I threw it up.’
Pitt knows. Fine for launching football into stands: $7,649.
Worth it. pic.twitter.com/PmMaQD9arq— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) December 5, 2023
The fine for first-time offenders who throw the football into the stands is $7,649. For second offenders, the fine is $13,113. The penalty is classified as a sportsmanship fine.
Another example was in 2022 when former Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook was fined $7,426 for throwing the football into the stands after his game-winning 53-yard touchdown run in Miami.
Dalvin Cook goes 53 yards! #SKOL
📺: #MINvsMIA on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/cuelUmFent pic.twitter.com/OKrDiYEmE4— NFL (@NFL) October 16, 2022
The NFL uses a fine system to outline its expectations for players’ conduct during games. The conduct is supposed to honor the sport and respect the game. The NFL adds that the rules are intended to protect players from unnecessary risk, promote player safety, and emphasize sportsmanship.
How Do Fines in the NFL Work?
Following each week, the NFL Officiating Department reviews every play from every game and refers potential violations to the Football Operations and Compliance team. Every flagged play isn’t fined, and any play not flagged can be fined.
After receiving a fine, players can protest the ruling and appeal it with the NFL. When a fine is appealed, the case is assigned to one of the league’s current appeals officers, Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae, or Jordy Nelson, per the league’s website. The officer will then review the play, hear the case and defense, and then make a final decision.
All fines collected by the NFL are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation, which supports legends in need, or the NFL Foundation, which supports the health, safety, and wellness of athletes across all levels.