Do NFL players who shove coaches get fined?



Just moments ago, we witnessed a Houston Texans player push a coach who was reprimanding him for committing a personal foul seconds earlier.

Will that player be fined?

More than likely than not.

NFL players can be fined for pushing coaches, and there have been instances of such fines being imposed. The NFL takes physical altercations seriously, especially those involving non-player personnel like coaches. While specific fines for pushing coaches are not explicitly outlined in the NFL’s standard fine schedule, they fall under the broader category of unsportsmanlike conduct or unnecessary physical contact with team personnel.

The league assesses these situations on a case-by-case basis.

Some examples of fines related to player-coach altercations include:

  1. In 2021, Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Harrison was fined $12,128 for shoving Kansas City Chiefs running back coach Greg Lewis during a sideline altercation.
  2. The NFL has issued fines to teams and players for sideline incidents involving non-player personnel. In 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs organization was fined $100,000, and tight end Peyton Hendershot was fined $5,472 for a sideline shove involving an opposing player.
  3. The league sent a memo to all teams in 2023 emphasizing that non-player personnel, including coaches and staff, must refrain from engaging in or making physical contact with opposing players.

The NFL’s approach to these incidents is aimed at maintaining order and professionalism on the sidelines. Fines can vary based on the severity of the incident and whether it’s a repeat offense.

In addition to fines, players may face suspensions for more serious altercations, including the risk of losing their jobs.

It’s worth noting that the league also holds teams accountable for the conduct of their personnel. In some cases, organizations have been fined for the actions of their players or staff members during sideline incidents. While pushing a coach is not a common occurrence, the NFL has shown that it will take disciplinary action when such incidents do happen, reinforcing the importance of maintaining professional conduct on the field and sidelines.

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