Titans Insider: Cecil fined $40,000 by the NFL

Titans defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil has been fined $40,000 by the NFL for flipping the middle finger at officials during Sunday’s 26–20 loss to the Broncos.

According to the NFL, Cecil violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (b) of the Playing Rules, which prohibits use of abusive, threatening or insulting gestures toward officials.

Cecil’s obscene gesture was caught on camera by CBS.

The play that upset Cecil occurred in the first half, when defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks was penalized for a roughing the passer penalty on Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton. Officials ruled Marks hit Orton low, but replays showed contact started in the upper thigh area.

A year ago, Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 after flipping his middle fingers at the Buffalo sideline from his luxury box and from the field at the end of a game. Cecil bolted from LP Field after the Titans’ loss to the Broncos and did not comment. His players said they support him, and hinted they might help him pay the fine.

“I didn’t know he did it,’’ cornerback Cortland Finnegan said with a smile. “But I know he is an emotional guy and we stand behind Chuck no matter what. I know he’ll answer to that as a man. That just shows his emotion and we’ll stand behind him and chip in for him.’’

Cecil was fined $20,000 last December for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty involving game officials during a loss to the Chargers.

Coach Jeff Fisher said of the call that prompted the penalty: “I didn’t think it was low enough to warrant the call.’’

 

Cecil fined $40,000 for obscene gesture (AP)

Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil has been fined $40,000 by the NFL for an obscene gesture at game officials. The league on Monday said Cecil violated a rule that prohibits use of abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures to game officials. Television cameras caught Cecil using his right hand to make the gesture when officials flagged his defense for a neutral zone... LINK