15 NFL Players Who Were Hit with the Biggest Fines in Football History
NFL players make millions, but that doesn’t mean they always get to keep it. One bad decision can cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some fines are well deserved, while others? Let’s just say they’ve left fans scratching their heads. And interestingly, it could be because of literally anything, whether it’s a brutal hit, a wardrobe malfunction, or an over-the-top touchdown dance.
Here are 15 of the biggest fines in NFL history, proving that sometimes, bad decisions come with a very expensive price tag.
Deshaun Watson – $5 Million
Credit: flickr
Most NFL fines are for on-field misconduct, but Deshaun Watson made history for an entirely different reason. The Cleveland Browns quarterback was fined a record-breaking $5 million in 2022 as part of a settlement related to multiple allegations of misconduct. Along with an 11-game suspension, this fine stands as the biggest ever imposed on an individual player.
Ndamukong Suh – $100,000
Credit: Instagram
Ndamukong Suh plays with an aggressive edge, but in 2013, the Detroit Lions’ defensive tackle took it a little too far. During a game against the Vikings, Suh delivered a brutal low block on Minnesota center John Sullivan, a hit deemed so unnecessary that the NFL fined him a whopping $100,000—one of the biggest fines for on-field behavior.
Bill Belichick – $500,000
Credit: Instagram
Coaches usually avoid massive fines, but Bill Belichick isn’t just any coach. In 2007, the Patriots were caught illegally videotaping the New York Jets’ defensive signals, a scandal that rocked the NFL. The league came down hard, fining Belichick $500,000. It was the biggest fine ever for a coach at the time. The Patriots were also fined $250,000 and lost a first-round draft pick.
Jamal Lewis – $760,000
Credit: Instagram
A single phone call cost Jamal Lewis nearly a million dollars. The Baltimore Ravens running back was fined $760,000 in 2004 after pleading guilty to using a cell phone to set up a drug transaction. The fine came on top of a two-game suspension, making it one of the most expensive off-field punishments ever.
James Harrison – $100,000+
Credit: flickr
James Harrison played football with a vengeance. The former Steelers linebacker was fined over $100,000 in a single season for repeated violations, mostly for illegal hits on quarterbacks. Harrison didn’t seem to mind, once saying he’d rather pay the fines than change his playing style. The NFL, however, clearly disagreed.
Vontaze Burfict – $112,000
Credit: flickr
Vontaze Burfict made a career out of playing right on the edge of legal and often over it. In 2018, he racked up a $112,000 fine in a single game for multiple unnecessary roughness penalties against the Steelers. Burfict’s history of illegal hits eventually led to a season-long suspension in 2019.
Albert Haynesworth – $190,000
Credit: Instagram
A stomp was heard around the league. In 2006, Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth lost his temper and kicked off Cowboys center Andre Gurode’s helmet—then stomped on his face. The NFL responded with a five-game suspension without pay, costing Haynesworth $190,000 in lost salary. That stomp didn’t just leave a mark on Gurode. It left one in Haynesworth’s wallet, too.
Brandon Marshall – $10,500
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Brandon Marshall had good intentions, but the NFL wasn’t having it. In 2013, the Bears wide receiver wore green cleats to raise awareness for mental health, violating the NFL’s strict uniform policy. The league fined him $10,500, proving that in the NFL, even the best causes can come with a hefty price tag.
Chad Johnson – $30,000
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Chad Johnson (formerly Ochocinco) was known for his over-the-top celebrations, but in 2009, he took it too far. After scoring a touchdown, he donned a sombrero and poncho, violating the league’s uniform rules. The result? A $30,000 fine and an iconic moment in NFL celebration history.
Marshawn Lynch – $75,000
Credit: Instagram
Marshawn Lynch is famous for saying, “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.” Well, it turns out that wasn’t just a joke. In 2015, the NFL fined him $75,000 for skipping media interviews. Lynch preferred to let his game do the talking, but the league preferred he at least pretend to like reporters.
Antonio Brown – $54,000
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Antonio Brown’s career has been a rollercoaster, and his fines reflect that. In 2018, he was fined $54,000 by the Steelers for missing practices and being late to team meetings. Considering how his career unraveled, this was just the beginning of his issues.
Marlon Humphrey – $45,020
Credit: Instagram
Marlon Humphrey likes to hit hard, but in 2024, the Ravens cornerback took it too far. The NFL fined him $45,020 for a helmet-to-helmet hit in a playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. Humphrey already had a history of fines, but this one nearly doubled his previous penalty for the same infraction.
Jameson Williams – $25,325
Credit: Instagram
Jameson Williams scored a 61-yard touchdown, but his celebration ended up being more expensive than the play itself. The Lions receiver was fined $25,325 for an obscene gesture after his touchdown. It wasn’t his first fine of the season, either. He had already racked up over $70,000 in penalties in 2024 alone.
Frankie Luvu – $33,766
Credit: Instagram
Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu didn’t hold back in a 2024 playoff game. The NFL hit him with two separate fines totaling $33,766 for illegal hits to the quarterback’s head and neck area. The way Luvu plays, this probably won’t be the last fine he gets.
Patrick Mahomes – $14,000
Credit: Instagram
Even superstars aren’t immune to fines. In 2024, Patrick Mahomes was fined $14,000 for making a gun-like gesture after a touchdown in a game against the Bills. The NFL took issue with it, and despite Mahomes being one of the league’s biggest stars, he wasn’t getting a pass on this one.