Sports · American Football · 1 day ago
NFL fines three Browns players for celebration imitating smoking
The NFL fined Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, running back Quinshon Judkins and guard Austin Barber over a touchdown celebration.
It happened after Judkins scored in the second quarter of Cleveland’s Week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The celebration appeared to show the players passing and smoking an imaginary marijuana cigarette.
Watson and Judkins were each fined $14,397, while Barber was fined $6,944.
The NFL says celebrations depicting smoking or drug use can lead to discipline.
The fines came as the league also withdrew a separate fine against San Francisco 49ers player Kyle Juszczyk for a celebration it said imitated drinking from a juice box.
The league says it will contact players and give guidance when a celebration falls into a gray area before imposing discipline.
The NFL fined Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, running back Quinshon Judkins and guard Austin Barber for a touchdown celebration that appeared to imitate smoking a marijuana cigarette.
Watson and Judkins were each fined $14,397, while Barber was fined $6,944.
The gesture followed Judkins’ second-quarter touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4.
The NFL classed the conduct as unsportsmanlike behavior involving an illegal celebration and a vulgar act, according to a report cited by the Daily Mail.
The league said gestures depicting smoking or drug use would result in discipline, while it had recently rescinded a separate fine for a celebration it said simulated drinking a juice box.
- Who
- Cleveland Browns players Deshaun Watson, Quinshon Judkins and Austin Barber.
- What
- They were fined over a celebration that appeared to imitate smoking.
- When
- After a Week 4 game; the articles were published on October 10 and 11, 2026.
- Where
- Against the Pittsburgh Steelers; the game venue is not stated.
- Why
- The NFL cited unsportsmanlike behavior involving an illegal celebration and a vulgar act.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Judkins scored a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the players performed the gesture.
Yahoo Sports published its report on the fines.
The Daily Mail published its report on the fines.
- Watson fine
- $14,397
- Judkins fine
- $14,397
- Barber fine
- $6,944
- Game
- Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Celebration
- Appeared to imitate passing and smoking an imaginary marijuana cigarette
What people are saying
Conversely, recent celebrations imitating drinking a beverage will not be considered violations or result in discipline.
When conduct falls into a gray area, the league will contact the player and provide direction before imposing discipline.
Sources
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