82. Kaepernick Moves To The Beats

Year of Fine: 2014
Est. Fine Total: $10,000*
In 2014, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was fined $10,000 for wearing Beats by Dre headphones in violation of the NFL’s exclusive sponsorship deal with Bose. The controversial QB’s headphones were bright pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness and stood out like a sore thumb.

Kaepernick Moves To The Beats ©Jaime Crawford / Getty Images
Kaepernick most likely knew he’d be fined for his actions but went through with the move regardless of the inevitable fine. Despite the fine, Kaepernick continued to wear Apple his Beats, messaging, “I support breast cancer awareness! My grandma is a survivor!……. *shrugs* some things are now important!” Via his Instagram account.

83. Allen Lazard Taunts Trio Of Opponents

Year of Fine: 2022
Est. Fine Total: $10,609*
In December 2022, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard was fined $10,6,09 for taunting three Miami Dolphins opponents he dismantled with just one block during a week 17 matchup. In a rare move, Lazard wasn’t flagged for his actions during the game.

Allen Lazard Taunts Trio Of Opponents ©Megan Briggs/Getty Images
The NFL quickly rectified the mistake and gave Lazard a fine for having some fun on the field. Lazard learned the hard way that counting the defenders you’ve made look silly is, in fact, a fineable offense.

84. Bart Scott Fined For Being Unbuckled

Year of Fine: 2010
Est. Fine Total: $20,000*
In 2010, then-New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott was fined $20,000 by the NFL for violating the league’s uniform policy. Scott played without his chin strap properly buckled during a Monday Night Football matchup against the Detroit Lions.

Bart Scott Fined For Being Unbuckled ©Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
While this may not seem like a major issue, it was taken as a sign of disrespect to both the league’s rules and the team he was playing against, which made sure to follow protocol. The NFL responded to this breach of conduct by fining Scott, who called the penalty “ridiculous.”

85. Burleson Fined For Kicking Football

Year of Fine: 2010
Est. Fine Total: $15,000*
Nate Burleson was fined $5,000 by the NFL for kicking a football into the stands after scoring a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams in 2010. Burleson, then a member of the Detroit Lions, was flagged for excessive celebration and apologized for his actions.

Burleson Fined For Kicking Football ©Leon Halip / Getty Images
This incident was an example of how an athlete can be fined for an action that is deemed to be unsportsmanlike conduct, even if it was meant to be taken in good fun. Burleson was clearly caught up in the moment and has since shown more restraint when celebrating.

86. Smith Fined For Undoing Opponent’s Shoes

Year of Fine: 2014
Est. Fine Total: $50,000*
In 2014, J.R. Smith was fined $50,000 for untying the shoelaces of Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion during a game. Smith’s behavior was seen as disrespectful and unsportsmanlike, and the NBA felt it necessary to punish him with a hefty fine.

Smith Fined For Undoing Opponents Shoes ©Jamie Sabau / Getty Images
This action came as a shock to many, as it was an unusual move that had never been seen before. Luckily, J.R. Smith was a loveable character in the league whom opponents generally took to. Marion was no different. Marion and Smith had a good laugh about the ordeal. The league didn’t find the situation as funny.

87. Dave Kingman Gets Ratted Out

Year of Fine:
Est. Fine Total: $3,500*
In 1986, former big league pitcher Dave Kingman was fined $3,500 while playing for the Oakland Athletics for sending a live rat in a box with a note that said “my name is Sue” to sportswriter Susan Fornoff of the Sacramento Bee.

Dave Kingman Gets Ratted Out ©Ronald C. Modra / Getty Images
The infamous incident occurred after Fornoff exposed Kingman for having said, “women don’t belong in the clubhouse.” Although Kingman later apologized, he was still slapped with a hefty fine by MLB. The incident serves as a reminder that no matter how angry athletes may get with the press, it’s never appropriate to resort to such measures.

88. Westbrook Mouths Off To Fans

Year of Fine: 2019
Est. Fine Total: $25,000*
Russell Westbrook has dealt with his fair share of criticism from fans over the years, but most of it has been about his play, and deservingly so (he hasn’t been great the past few years). However, in 2019, Westbrook encountered a fan who heckled him on the wrong day.

Westbrook Mouths Off To Fans ©Justin Ford / Getty Images
Westbrook mistook a fan’s comment for a racially charged one and fought back with some choice words of his own. It was determined that although the fan’s words were not said with the believed intention, they were offensive enough to warrant a lifetime ban from the Utah Jazz’s stadium. For losing his cool, Westbrook was slapped with a $25,000 fine.

89. Polamalu Fined For Checking-In With His Wife

Year of Fine: 2011
Est. Fine Total: $10,000*
In 2011, NFL star Troy Polamalu was fined $10,000 for using his cell phone to call his wife after being hit hard during a game. The league’s policy states that players are not allowed to use mobile phones while on the sideline. Despite the rule, Troy did what he needed to do.

Polamalu Fined For Checking-In With His Wife ©Justin K. Aller / Getty Images
Considering how powerful hits in the NFL can be, one can’t blame the former Steelers star for wanting to let his wife know he was okay. Polamalu’s actions showed fans and viewers that football players are people too. And sometimes, it’s worth a $10,000 fine to reassure a loved one.

90. Daniel Suárez Gets Too Close

Year of Fine: 2023
Est. Fine Total: $50,000*
Daniel Suárez was fined $50,000 in March 2023 for intentionally driving his car into a fellow driver’s vehicle. That’s right. A NASCAR driver used his car as a weapon during the overtime laps. Suárez didn’t t-bone anyone or anything like that, but he did go after Alex Bowman’s rear bumper.

Daniel Suárez Gets Too Close ©Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
In a sport where extreme speeds result in a millimeter here or there being the difference between life and death, Suárez let his emotions cloud his better judgment. For his recklessness and for violating their behavioral standards, NASCAR officials handed down a $50,000 fine to Suárez.

91. Mike Tice Sells His Superbowl Tickets

Year of Fine: 2005
Est. Fine Total: $100,000*
In 2005, as is protocol, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Tice was given two free tickets to the Super Bowl, just as the other players and coaches had been. Only Tice had better plans to attend Super Bowl weekend that year and opted to unload his tickets, but not to friends or family.

Mike Tice Sells His Superbowl Tickets ©Leon Halip / Getty Images
Tice went off and made a profit off his free league tickets. Of course, the league was not thrilled with Tice’s actions and let him know about it the best way they knew how. A fine of $100,000.