Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Fair or unfair, the NFL has come down hard on a wide receiver who was just promoted from the practice squad last month.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Chris Matthews has been fined $11,025 for what the NFL deemed to be an obscene gesture, according to the Seattle Times.
The gesture appeared to be a mere handshake after running back Marshawn Lynch scored a 24-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship against the Green Bay Packers.
Matthews, a special teamer, was not on the field during the play in question and instead came on to congratulate his teammate:
Lynch took exception to the NFL's decision and fired back via Twitter:
For his part, Lynch received a $20,000 fine from the league for a similar gesture immediately after scoring.
But considering that Matthews
was only promoted from the Seahawks' practice squad on Dec. 6, the
dollar amount is substantial given his salary. The second-year NFL
player who spent a two-year stint in the CFL is performing under a
two-year, $940,000 contract with a $420,000 base salary this season.