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Schedule of fines for the 2018 season

The list of the amounts for players’ fines has been established for the 2018 season.

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The list of the amounts for players’ fines has been established for the  2018 season. Typically, fines are subject to an automatic 5% increase from the previous season, which is a provision of the collective bargaining agreement between the players union and the league. In 2017, the league and the union agreed to suspend the 5% increase.  Based on certain fines assessed in the preseason, it’s been determined that the 2018 fines have been elevated 10% from their 2016 levels. (This actually has saved a few dollars in the long run, since a 5% increase would have compounded the previous year’s 5% increase.)

Offenses against game officials

  Rule Violation First Offense Second Offense
12-3-1 (g) Physical contact with official $33,426 $66,853
12-3-1 (b) Verbal or other non-physical offense against official $26,740 $53,482

Player safety rules and/or flagrant personal fouls

Including the following, without limitation. For first or second offense, suspension or fine is possible; severity to be determined by degree of violation (fines listed are minimums).

  Rule Violation First Offense Second Offense
12-2-12 Striking/kicking/kneeing $10,026 $20,054
12-2-6 (j), 12-2-14 Face mask
12-2-6 (b-g) Late hit
8-4-5, 12-2-5   Low block
12-2-3 Chop block
12-2-15 Horse-collar tackle $20,054 $40,110
12-2-6 (a) Leg whip
12-2-9 (a-e) Roughing the passer*
12-2-6 (i) Spearing $26,740 $53,482
12-2-6 (i),
12-2-8,
12-2-16
Impermissible use of the helmet (including illegal launching)
12-2-7 Hit on defenseless player
12-2-7 (a) (10) Blindside block

*Under a 2018 point of emphasis, this can include landing on the quarterback with full weight even if he’s not in a passing posture.

Fighting

Rule   Violation First Offense Second Offense
12-2-12 Fighting $33,426 $66,853
Conduct policy Unnecessarily entering fight area (active involvement) $6,684 $13,369
Conduct policy Unnecessarily entering fight area (no active involvement) $3,341 $10,026

Sportsmanship

Rule   Violation First Offense Second Offense
12-3-1 Excessive profanity; other unsportsmanlike conduct† $13,369 $26,740
12-3-1 (b) Taunting $10,026 $13,369
Conduct policy Football into stands‡ $6,684 $13,369

†Conduct directed toward opponents, game personnel, fans, etc.
‡Fines assessed when a player deliberately throws or kicks a ball into the stands. If the player hands the ball to a specific fan or a designated person, this is not a fine, as it does not create a fan-safety issue.

Uniform

Additional fines may be imposed on team management and coaching staffs for condoning or permitting violations in this area.

Rule   Violation First Offense Second Offense
5-4-4 (1, 8) Foreign substances on body/uniform $10,026 $20,054
5-4-3 (1)   Chin strap violations $10,026 $13,369
5-4-8   Personal messages § $6,684 $13,369
5-4-9 Other uniform/equipment violations

 §Except those that are advertising, which is an on-field commercial logo violation.

On-field commercial logo violation

[5-4-7] Considered violation of official league licensing agreements. For first or second offense, suspension or fine is possible; severity to be determined by degree of violation.

Gang signing

[12-3-1 (b, d)] Considered conduct detrimental to the league licensing agreements. For first or second offense, suspension or fine is possible; severity to be determined by degree of violation.

Ben Austro is the editor and founder of Football Zebras and the author of So You Think You Know Football?: The Armchair Ref's Guide to the Official Rules (on sale now)

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