We might not all agree with them, nor obey them, but there are rules that all of us are forced to follow every single day. While those vary from going the proper speed limit to paying bills on time, pro athletes have to worry about additional rules from their employer that, because of the amounts of cash they make each season, have drawn some hefty consequences. See which players have been docketed the most cash, though, as these are the largest fines in NFL history.
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15. Ed Reed – $55,000
He’s a future Hall of Famer and one of the best players of his generation, but former safety Ed Reed found himself in hot water following a big hit on the New England Patriots wideout Deion Branch back in the 2012 season. Initially suspended for one game because of his past history, the league overturned that initial penalty and fined him $50,000 instead.
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14. Warren Sapp – $75,000
Warren Sapp is in the Hall of Fame and is widely-known as one of the dominant forces in league history, but he played with a mean streak that got him in trouble sometimes. One of those instances came in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2007, when Sapp was so upset with an official that he earned three unsportsmanlike penalties during the game, eventually getting fined a hefty $75,000 for voicing his opinions.
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13. John Lynch – $75,000
A former teammate of the aforementioned Warren Sapp, former safety John Lynch had to pay a $75,000 fine for a helmet-to-helmet hit on the Indianapolis Colts’ tight end, Dallas Clark. Due to Lynch’s track record of massive hits on receivers, this specific fine was so large, but he was also billed $7,500 for his previous three instances of painful hits.
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12. Darren Woodson – $75,000
Due to a helmet-to-helmet hit from former safety Darren Woodson on then wide receiver Darrell Jackson, the receiver was left with a concussion and the defender was forced to pay $75,000. Coming in the latter stages of the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks, the penalty actually helped Seattle get into field-goal position, hitting a game-winner a few minutes after.
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11. James Harrison – $75,000
An all-time bad boy in the NFL, James Harrison has always stated how disapproval for the poor calls that both officials and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell enforces during games. With a history of knocking opposing players silly by using his helmet, Harrison was fined $75,000 for being a repeat offender. In Harrison’s eyes, if it intimidated other teams, it was money well spent.
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10. Bryan Cox – $87,500
One of the most emotional players to ever wear a football helmet, former linebacker Bryan Cox let those emotions get the best of him during a game in 1996 against the Buffalo Bills. Playing for the Chicago Bears, Cox made an obscene gesture, cursed at an official and tossed his helmet in disgust from a call, leading to an ejection and a fine worth $87,500.
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9. Brian Urlacher – $100,000
We all know that sports is big business, so, after former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher showed up for an interview during Super Bowl week wearing a Vitamin Water hat—which isn’t the drink sponsor for the league—the NFL figured it would keep it’s relationship with their official partner by fining Urlacher $100,000. It’s a pretty insane fine for just wearing a hat, but, I’m sure, the linebacker wasn’t forced to pay it thanks to the publicity.
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8. Ndamukong Suh – $100,000
He may just be one of the dirtiest players to ever play in the NFL, so it’s not surprising to see Detroit Lions defender Ndamukong Suh high on this list. Earning the largest, on-field fine in NFL history for his low hit on an opposing player in 2013, Suh was forced to send the NFL a check worth $100,000 because of his repeat actions. With Suh stepping on several players in the past and picking up other penalties and fines, this guy just doesn’t seem to keep his emotions bottled up.
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7. Ray Lewis – $250,000
Following a double murder after the Super Bowl in 2000, former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was looked at as both a suspect and/or a witness—depending on whom you ask. For his failure to cooperate with police, the future Hall of Famer was charged with obstruction of justice by the cops and fined $250,000 by the league for failure to protect the image of the NFL logo.
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6. Bud Adams – $250,000
You have to love passionate, old guys who own professional sports teams, don’t you? Following a win against the Buffalo Bills back in 2009, since-deceased Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams was seen flipping the bird to the opposing sideline from the owner’s box. For the poor hospitality, Adams was fined $250,000.
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5. Shaun Rogers – $400,000
The career of former defensive tackle Shaun Rogers was one that was filled with a ton of ups and downs, as he proved to have plenty of talent, but could never seem to avoid bad publicity both on and off the field. Unfortunately, following an arrest at the Cleveland airport for having a handgun in his carry-on bag, the league slapped Rogers with a $400,000 fine.
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4. Jim Irsay – $500,000
Just occurring earlier this year, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was fined $500,000 and suspended six games for driving while intoxicated. Much like the aforementioned fine of Bud Adams for waving his middle fingers towards opposing players, the league expects its owners to carry themselves with a little bit more professionalism.
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3. Bill Belichick – $500,000
This is one that we’re all familiar with thanks to the ripple effect it sent through NFL fans. After being caught spying on and, supposedly, stealing signals from the New York Jets in 2007, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was hit with a $500,000 fine. The team was also fined a hefty amount and docked a first-round draft pick in the following draft for the mistake.
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2. Jamal Lewis – $760,000
Pleading guilty for drug charges in court back in 2004, former running back Jamal Lewis was hit hard by the NFL, assessing him a fine of $760,000 after Lewis’ admission. Lewis was also forced to spend four months in prison, but was released prior to the 2005 season and played an additional four years without further punishments.
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1. Eddie DeBartolo Jr. – $1 million
After his involvement with the corruption case of a former governor, former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie Debartolo Jr. was fined $1 million and received one year probation of running the club. As a billionaire owner, such cash might not seem like much, but, that’s a lot of money for something that seems pretty obvious not to get involved with.
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