New Orleans Saints star Cameron Jordan has been fined around half a million dollars for ‘faking an injury’ during his team’s agonising 17-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On December 2, the NFL issued a memo regarding the faking of injuries and insisted teams, players and coaches would be bestowed should such situations occur. The NFL clearly decided Jordan breached that protocol during Monday’s clash.
The Saints were fined $350,000 (£285,540), head coach Denis Allen was penalised to the tune of $100,00 (£81,580) while Jordan and co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielson will likely be $50,000 (£40,790). NFL insider Adam Schefter believes all parties are set to appeal the fine.
Before the Saints collapsed and conceded two late Tom Brady touchdown passes to lose, Jordan appeared to look towards the sideline before going down to a knee. He pointed to his leg and shifted to the ground, which caused a delay to the match.
The moment came on a fourth and 10 play in which Brady looked set to line up for the snap before Jordan forced a medical timeout. As a result, the Buccaneers punted before inexplicably fighting back to win the rivalry game and sit atop the NFC South.
On Saturday, New Orleans issued a statement in which the franchise vehemently rejected the claims. Their statement read: “The New Orleans Saints deny any allegations of purposefully delaying the game on Monday evening.
“Defensive end Cameron Jordan felt foot pain following a third down play and sought medical attention. He entered the blue medical tent and was examined by the medical staff and following the examination he was taped and able to finish the game. He had an MRI performed the following day in New Orleans and was confirmed that he suffered an acute mid-foot sprain in his left foot.
“He has been at the facility each day receiving treatment for his injury he suffered on the play. The Saints will appeal the fines through the proper channels and believe the allegations will be proved incorrect.”
Jordan was frustrated by the accusation and fines as he reacted to the news himself. He took to Twitter to write: “Most expensive fine to date from the @NFL came in yesterday... added stressor for no reason.”
It followed numerous tweets, with the All-Pro sounding off on the league, adding: “Are fines made by nfl open to public? I just feel like this should be public knowledge. Cause some of the fines are silly but this 1… ridiculous.
“Anyways & for what a ‘deliberate action to delay game’ before a tm punts? NFL just wanted a new patek aquanaut or summ… not off me.”
Jordan revealed his initial reaction to news of the fine before he began to be frustrated by the penalty. The 33-year-old added: “Agent told me bout it and initially I laughed and was like, that’s ridiculous- clearly aggravated something.
“Then he told me how much the fine was and I been irked since.”
