NFL Fines Derek Carr for Michael Jackson-Inspired Touchdown Celebration in Saints Win

Thursday, September 19th, 2024

METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has been fined for his Week 2 touchdown celebration that imitated Michael Jackson, a source told ESPN.

Carr snuck the ball in from the 1-yard line for a touchdown in the third quarter of the Saints' 44-19 win against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. He then performed a dance move made famous by Jackson that involved grabbing at his crotch.

While the NFL relaxed some touchdown celebration rules in 2017, the current rulebook states a player can be flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for "an act that is sexually suggestive or offensive."

Although the Week 2 fines haven't been made public yet, a first-time offense for unsportsmanlike conduct is fined $14,069. Carr was not flagged for the celebration.

Carr said that he chose the celebration because he promised his family that he would do a dance by Jackson if he scored a touchdown this season.

"People don't know a lot of stuff about me. ... Weddings or birthdays, I'm always dancing," Carr said after the game. "One time I hit the Michael Jackson and [my brothers] were like, 'Bro, you have to do that if you score.'"

Pro Football Talk first reported news of Carr's fine.

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