Does the NFL Fine Players for Giving Away Balls?
Contents
No, the NFL does not fine players for giving away balls. In fact, they highly encourage it! The NFL has a “Ball Donation Program” where players can donate new and gently used balls to underprivileged youth groups.
Introduction
If you’re a fan of the NFL, you’ve probably seen players giving away balls to lucky fans after they score a touchdown. It’s a nice gesture, but you may have wondered if the players get fined for giving away balls.
The answer is yes, the NFL does fine players for giving away balls. The league has a strict policy that all game balls must be accounted for and any balls that are given away must be reported. The fine for giving away a ball is $5,000.
So, if you’re ever lucky enough to catch a touchdown ball from an NFL player, just remember that the player had to pay a hefty fine to give it to you!
What is the NFL’s policy on giving away balls?
The NFL does not fine players for giving away balls. In fact, the NFL actively encourages players to give balls away to fans after scoring a touchdown. The NFL’s official stance on this is that “giving the ball to a fan is a special moment.”
Do players get fined for giving away balls?
No, players are not fined for giving away balls.
What is the reasoning behind the policy/fines?
The reasoning behind the policy is to prevent players from intentionally throwing games or trying to lose for betting purposes. By fining players for giving away balls, the NFL is able to deter players from doing so.
Are there any exceptions to the rule?
The quick answer is “no,” but there are a couple of notable exceptions to the rule.
Firstly, any player who donates a ball to a charitable auction is exempt from the rule. This exception was put in place after New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was fined $5,000 for donating a ball to charity.
Secondly, any player who is awarded a game ball by the officials is also exempt from being fined. This exception was put in place after former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs was fined $5,000 for giving away a game ball to a fan.
Conclusion
Overall, it seems that the NFL does not typically fine players for giving away balls to fans, unless the player does so in an excessive or inappropriate manner. In most cases, it seems that the team itself will handle any disciplinary action internally. So, if you’re thinking of giving away a ball at your next NFL game, you probably won’t have to worry about being fined by the league.
