The NFL has fine Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley $46,371 and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce $14,491 for violations during the Eagles’ Week 2 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The fines were issued after a review of the plays, with the league emphasizing that they are in line with previous penalties.
Barkley’s fine stems from lowering his helmet into a Chiefs player during a run, a move typically deemed unnecessary roughness by the league. The league is actively working to eliminate helmet-first contact, and as a result, fines are often the consequence of such actions. This marks Barkley’s second offense, with the $46,371 penalty following a similar violation last season.
Kelce, on the other hand, received a fine for making an obscene gesture after a 23-yard reception. The act, which was a ‘huevos’ homage to the movie ‘Major League,’ did not escape the league’s scrutiny, as they issued a fine regardless of the cultural reference. His fine was $14,491, which is consistent with the NFL’s typical penalties for such gestures.
The fines were not the only notable events of the day. Officiating controversies also arose, particularly with the Eagles’ tush push play. Replays showed multiple Eagles linemen moving before the snap, which appeared to be a false start. The NFL admitted that officials missed the call and stated a flag should have been thrown, leading to the expectation of tighter officiating in Week 3’s game between the Eagles and Rams.
Barkley will look to continue his strong performance against the Rams’ defense, having run for 255 yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns in his debut as an Eagle. He also caught four passes from Jalen Hurts, contributing 47 yards to the team’s success.