Ja'Marr Chase broke his silence on the NFL's anti-fun policies after the league fined him for his Week 2 celebrations.

The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver discussed the subject on his Chasing No. 1 podcast alongside Tee Higgins and co-host Annie Agar. Chase recalled the NFL celebrations he watched as a child:

“When I was a kid—I can't speak for Tee—when I was a kid growing up, that's all they did when they got to the end zone.”

The wide receiver said players face a different reality in the NFL today. He explained how fines can make them hesitate before trying celebrations they once enjoyed watching:

“So you see stuff as a kid, you get to the NFL, you finally want to do a celebration, and they hit you with a fine. Now I make you a little nervous [about] what you want to do, you know what I'm saying?”

For Chase, the celebrations that once made the end zone feel like a party now come with added caution for players.

The celebration that landed Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in trouble

Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins used a celebration inspired by WWE legend The Rock's "People's Elbow."

The Bengals receivers used it multiple times against Houston in Week 2. The NFL fined Chase for two violations and Higgins for four, with each violation carrying a $14,926 fine.

Chase received $29,852 in total fines, while Higgins was fined $59,704. Together, the six violations cost the Bengals receivers $89,556.

The NFL classified the fines as unsportsmanlike conduct. The penalties show the consequences behind Chase's concern about celebrating freely.

Written by

Sayantan