Chuck Cecil has been fined $40,000 by the NFL for the obscene gesture he made in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Denver Broncos, a league office spokesman has confirmed.
The Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator was upset after a roughing the passer call on defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks that was ruled a low hit on Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton. He later was upset over neutral zone infractions called against the Titans.
His actions were caught on live television by CBS cameras during the game broadcast.
Cecil declined comment after the game on Sunday. He was fined $20,000 for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the San Diego Chargers last year.
“I want to apologize to the NFL, organization, fans and my family for my gesture yesterday. It was inappropriate and there is no excuse for that type of behavior under any circumstance," in a statement released Monday by Chuck Cecil, through the organization.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher, who did not find out about the matter until he was headed home from the game, said he had addressed the situation with his defensive coordinator.
"Chuck’s been fined, the league office has already imposed disciplinary action, he’s been fined—he won’t be suspended. And clearly, I’m speaking on behalf of the organization, that kind of conduct on the sideline—anyplace for that matter, is inappropriate. The league has already dealt with the issue. I’ve discussed it with Chuck," Fisher said. "It was a heat-of-the-battle thing, clearly Chuck’s an emotional individual and it was a heat-of-the-battle thing, he got frustrated and he understands that he’s got to maintain his composure and we’ve moved on."
- Terry McCormick
- co-publiser of TitanInsider - Lions247