Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has become a fan favorite owing to his dazzling performances on the field. The WR recently garnered the most votes and was rated as the league’s top wide receiver in many polls.
Although the wider receiver was able to live up to his reputation for a while, Jefferson has also been the center of controversy regarding the fine he received from NFL recently. It appears that the NFL regarded his conduct as a breach of their sportsmanship standards.
Jefferson slapped with $10,927 fine by NFL
The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver was fined $10,927 by the NFL for his “unsportsmanlike” conduct during the match against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, October 7th. It appears that Jefferson was penalized during his post-catch celebration, in which he appeared to make fun of the Panthers’ defense.
On the closing play of the third quarter, the cornerback D’Shawn Jamison made a “too small” gesture at him in the end zone. This is perceived as breaching of NFL’s rule about ‘taunting’ that describes, “The use of baiting or taunting acts or words that engender ill will between teams.”. Taunting carries a 15-yard loss in on-field penalty.
The NFL takes a different stance on player celebrations, particularly those following touchdowns, favoring gestures like The Griddy over the “too small” gesture. The distinction appears to be based on the gesture’s intended recipient. The “too small” gesture is targeted especially at an opponent, unlike The Griddy, which is considered as a more optimistic and general acknowledgment of a key play and doesn’t incur penalties for taunting. The main reason why the NFL might decide to impose fines for taunting is because it generally targets of an adversary.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, this was Jefferson’s warning to the league as a whole. He said, “I’ll go out there to show that it doesn’t matter who’s out there to stiff me. I’m gonna make a play. I’m gonna make a catch. I’m gonna do whatever it takes for my team to win.”
Jefferson’s future with Vikings on cliffhanger
If the stats are reviewd, the Minnesota Vikings had an unfortunate 0-1 start to the 2023 season despite having a spectacular 11-0 record in games decided by one point or less the previous season. They lost against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday by a score of 20–17.
It’s worth noting that the Vikings, who were widely predicted to be major favorites, suffered an upset loss in Week 1 despite having Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback for the Buccaneers. The wide receiver, Justin Jefferson recorded 9 receptions for 150 yards.
So, when asked about his future with the Minnesota Vikings in the Locker Room interview, Jefferson said, “I have the same mindset as I had before. At the end of the day, all I can do is play football. And that’s what I continue to do”. He further mentioned, “I know my team. My team doesn’t care about the contract, you know? And I don’t either. I just want to be here for my teammates, play for my teammates and of course get these wins.”
Furthermore, ESPN senior NFL insider, Adam Schefter had previously posted an update about Jefferson’s apparent deal with the Vikings stating he is unlikely to sign an extension before their league opener.
Although there is slim likelihood he will ever be traded, the delay in finalizing the contract will undoubtedly provoke concerns regarding his future in Minnesota.
