Week three of the NFL is already here, and there have already been some surprises. The Baltimore Ravens are winless, Tua Tagoviloa is out for the season, and Bryce Young has been benched after just two games. But the biggest surprise has to be the New Orleans Saints.
Derek Carr Fines $14,000 For Crotch Grab Celebration
However, the Saints were at the center of controversy after their 44-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday. After scoring one of several touchdowns in Dallas last Sunday, Carr celebrated by hitting the iconic Michael Jackson pose — which required the Saints quarterback to grab his crotch.
The referees did not deem Carr's antics as worthy of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. However, league officials did come down hard on the Saints' quarterback. According to NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk, the NFL fined Carr $14,000 for the infraction.
"Thou shalt not impersonate Michael Jackson. It's not an official NFL commandment, but it might as well be," NBC Sports wrote.
"Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the NFL has fined Saints quarterback Derek Carr $14,000 for a touchdown celebration against the Cowboys that mimicked a Michael Jackson dance move, including the customary crotch grab. Carr was not penalized for the gesture."
Saint QB Gets Honest on Touchdown Celebration
After the game, Carr said that it was not the first time that he hit the dance. In fact, he said the routine is something he does often. Even at family events.
"People don't know a lot of stuff about me. ... Weddings or birthdays, I'm always dancing," Carr said after the win over the Dallas Cowboys.
"One time I hit the Michael Jackson and [my brothers] were like, 'Bro, you have to do that if you score.'"
Not many people were high on the Saints coming into this season. But they have come out of the gates scorching. They have scored 91 points combined in their first two games. And a large part of that has been thanks to their quarterback Derek Carr, who has played like an MVP candidate to this point in the season.
The Saints will have the chance to improve to 3-0 when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
