Chuck Cecil fined $40,000 for obscene gesture
The Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil has been fined $40,000 by the National Football League for an obscene gesture he made during the Titans' 26-20 loss to the Denver Broncos in week
four.
The incident occurred during the second quarter of last Sunday's game after the Titans' defence was flagged for a neutral zone infraction gifting the Broncos with a first and goal opportunity which Denver
eventually converted into seven points on the very next play. Cameras caught Cecil waving the obscene gesture at referees with his right hand.
Cecil was apologetic in a statement released the next day by the Titans.
"I want to apologize to the NFL, organization, fans and my family for my gesture yesterday. It was inappropriate and there is no excuse for that type of behaviour under any circumstance.”
Titans head coach Jeff Fisher described the NFL's punishment as swift and appropriate.
"Clearly, I'm speaking on behalf of the organization that kind of conduct on the sideline, any place for that matter, is inappropriate. The league has already dealt with the issue," Fisher said.
Although he agreed with the NFL's decision, Fisher was not about to come down too hard on Cecil for what happened, and praised his defensive coordinator's work so far in the season.
"Clearly, Chuck's an emotional individual, and it was a heat of the battle thing and he got frustrated," Fisher said. "He understands he's got to maintain his composure, and we move on. We've moved on.
He's done a nice job with the defence thus far."
This is not the first time Cecil has been in hot water with the NFL for inappropriate behaviour. Cecil was fined $20,000 last December during a loss to the San Diego Chargers for allegedly making inappropriate
remarks to officials.
The Titans are currently 2-2 this season and take on the Cowboys in Dallas next Sunday.
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