Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen will not be punished for a celebration that some analysts believe crossed the line.
Many expected Allen to face a fine for a celebration in last week’s win over the Miami Dolphins, one that the NFL has banned. After a long wait following the Sept. 18 win, Allen learned on Saturday that he would not face any monetary punishment for the celebration.
Josh Allen’s Banned Celebration
Allen’s trouble stems from a third-quarter drive in Buffalo’s 31-21 win, when Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks stopped him for a short loss on a scramble in the red zone. The play would have led to a second down, but Brooks continued to push Allen back after the whistle had blown and was flagged for a late hit.
As Brooks fell to the ground, Allen pointed toward him using what appeared to be a finger gun, mimicking a gun firing toward him. While Allen did not speak on his intention, the league has cracked down on “violent” celebrations that imitate guns and other weapons.
The league did not see Allen’s celebration in a violent manner, however. The league announced its Week 3 fines on Saturday, with Allen not included on the list.
There have already been several players fined this year for mocking guns in their celebrations. Dallas Cowboys wide receivers George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb were each fined $14,491 for Week 2 celebrations that mimicked guns.
Allen has been fined for his celebrations in the past. In 2023, he pointed at a Cincinnati Bengals defender while running for a touchdown, prompting a $10,927 fine from the NFL.
The Bills quarterback had a longer wait than usual to learn if he would be fined, as the Bills had the first game of Week 3 on Thursday night. The win over the Dolphins moved the Bills to 3-0, giving them an early lead in the AFC East as they aim for a sixth straight division title. The Bills also have a track to the No. 1 overall seed, having already beaten the Baltimore Ravens while the Kansas City Chiefs stumbled to a 1-2 start.
NFL Wants Violent, Suggestive Celebrations Gone
The league has made it clear that it will be cracking down on violent or otherwise suggestive celebrations, telling teams last year that players who perform them will face fines. Walt Anderson, an NFL officiating rules analyst, told NFL.com last year that there had been an increase in these celebrations leading up to 2024, leading the league to take efforts to stop them.
Anderson said players had wide latitude for creative celebrations, but the league didn’t want to see any more inappropriate ones.
“Unsportsmanlike gestures like simulating or either shooting a gun or brandishing a gun, or inappropriate gestures like a throat slash, or unfortunate sexual gestures, those were up 133% so that is a point of emphasis,” Anderson said. “The officials have made it a point of emphasis to the clubs. It’s just one of those areas that the league wants to work actively on. There are plenty of ways for players to be able to celebrate, and they come up with some very unique and often entertaining ways so we want them to focus on those and not the inappropriate areas.”
NFL Making Final Decision on Punishment for Bills QB Josh Allen