Due to 439 infractions and over $17.7 million dollars of fines throughout the NFL, many fans have shown their disagreement with the enforcement and disciplinary action taken.

According to junior Zach Haupert, “It’s not as strict as it should be.”

Haupert believes that while there are a lot of “unnecessary” fines, the players need to be punished more due to their income. 

“They make millions, and they’re taking only a little bit from them,” Haupert said.

With the highest salary in the NFL being Joe Burrow’s $55 million a year and the minimum fine being just over $4,000, Haupert believes the players are not being fined nearly enough.

“It’s reasonable for most people,” Haupert said. “They aren’t punishing [players] enough.”

Fines in the NFL vary in reason all the way from unsportsmanlike conduct to excessive celebration, causing fans to question what should and should not be fined.

“I would say celebrations should not be fined,” said junior Evan Cole.“ I love it when the Cowboys use the [Salvation Army] kettle.”

Along with excessive celebration, the NFL dished out over $30,000 in fines due to uniform violations. 

“The fans love them, so why doesn’t the NFL?”Souderton alum and PSU freshman Aidan Aldredge said.

“ It doesn’t make sense for them to fine people [for] expressing themselves in a different way,” Cole said.

According to sophomore Sawyer Jones, “Celebrations literally don’t do any harm; they just add to the fun and are enjoyable to watch.”

During their week six matchup against the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown wore pink cleats and was threatened with fines for violating footwear rules and regulations. 

Brown’s reason for wearing these cleats was so his daughter could recognize him during the game. Fans then questioned whether or not it is the league’s place to impose cosmetic restrictions on the players. 

“It never really causes harm, so why should they be restricted from wearing some things,” Jones said. “Players should be allowed to wear whatever they want as long as it doesn’t actually affect their jersey and pose a competitive advantage.”

A majority of the fines given in the NFL are due to late hits or helmet-to-helmet tackles. 

“If you’re gonna charge someone, you shouldn’t fine someone if they have a tackle that wasn’t called a penalty,” Aldredge said.

According to Aldredge, the problem with the NFL fining policies is “all about consistency.”

Aldredge believes that the NFL should set a standard “percent of paycheck,” and only take a percentage of the gamecheck. 

“ If you fined someone like Lamar Jackson the same amount of money you fine Tommy Devito, or someone who is on a rookie contract, to Lamar, it might not matter, but for Devito, it’s more of their paycheck.”