Expensive Gestures

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Apr 22, 2011

Expensive Gestures

Andrew Ference

Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference was fined $2,500 after he used the middle finger on his gloved left hand -- as superb TV slo-motion replays on the CBC showed in all its glory -- to celebrate his comeback goal midway through the second period in Montreal during Game 4 of Boston's Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series with the Canadiens on April 22, 2011.

Chuck Cecil

After watching his Titans get flagged for a neutral zone infraction early in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 3, 2010, Tennessee defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil gave officials a piece of his mind by making an obscene gesture with his right hand. Cecil's hand motion would be costly, as the NFL fined the him $40,000 for inappropriate conduct.

Danny Ainge

Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge was fined $25,000 after he tossed a towel high in the air in an attempt to distract Cleveland's J.J. Hickson from making a foul shot during Game 2 of the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals. The action proved fruitless; Hickson made the free throw, although Boston went on to win the game 104-86.

Rex Ryan

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan is well-known for his tendency to run his mouth. In Feb. 2010, Ryan's hand did his talking. The coach was fined $50,000 by the Jets after making an obscene gesture to Miami Dolphins fans at a mixed martial arts event. Ryan had already provoked Dolphins fans earlier in the night, stating, "Hey, we're coming to beat you twice next year," in a ringside interview.

Bud Adams

Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams was fined a whopping $250,000 after repeatedly flicking off the Bills in jest during the Titans' 41-17 rout of Buffalo on Nov. 15, 2009. Adams, then 86, later stated, "I got caught up in the excitement of a great day, but I do realize that those types of things shouldn't happen."

Chad Ochocinco

As officials reviewed his disputed catch during Cincinnati's showdown with the Baltimore Ravens during Week 9 of the 2009 NFL season, Bengals' receiver Chad Ochocinco tried to subtly persuade referees to rule in his favor -- with a $1 bribe. His antic was not well received, as the league burdened Ochocinco with a $20,000 fine.

Santonio Holmes

Santonio Holmes' acrobatic, toe-tapping catch to win Super Bowl XLIII goes down as one of the greatest moments in NFL playoff history. It also is one of the costliest. Following the grab, Holmes threw the football into the air to imitate LeBron James' pregame chalk-throwing ritual, earning the Steelers' hero a noteworthy $10,000 fine.

Michael Vick

After dropping a 31-13 contest to the New Orleans Saints for his team's fourth straight loss in 2006, Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was fed up. A series of jeers from Atlanta hecklers didn't improve his mood, prompting Vick to fire off his middle finger to the disapproving Georgia Dome fans. The NFL quickly fired back, slamming Vick with a $10,000 fine.

Randy Moss

During an NFC Wild Card Playoff Game against the Green Bay Packers in 2005, Vikings receiver Randy Moss streaked down the sideline to corral a game-changing touchdown pass from quarterback Daunte Culpepper. That wasn't all Moss did, though, as the star wideout pretended to moon the Lambeau Field faithful in celebration. Moss was saddled with a $10,000 fine for his gesture, which the wideout infamously promised to pay in "straight cash, homey."

Ron Artest

Labeled as a loose cannon throughout his controversial tenure in the NBA, Ron Artest was slapped with a $20,000 fine after waving both middle fingers to the Cleveland Cavaliers crowd during their matchup with the Indiana Pacers on April 3, 2003. It wasn't the last time that Artest would be criticized for his fan interaction. He was suspended 73 games following his notorious involvement in the melee at The Palace at Auburn Hills on Nov. 19, 2004.

Chris Gardocki

The Cleveland Browns were sick of being knocked around by the Pittsburgh Steelers during their 2000 NFL campaign, none more so than punter Chris Gardocki. After being leveled by Steelers' linebacker Joey Porter, Gardocki directed a single finger toward the Pittsburgh sideline, a motion that resulted in a $5,000 fine. Gardocki's bitterness toward the Steelers eventually resided, as he would end up in a black and gold uniform just four years later.

Mike Ditka

Unhappy about a heartbreaking loss to the Tennessee Titans in 1999, New Orleans Saints fans cursed out head coach Mike Ditka for the defeat. Ditka responded brashly -- flashing his middle finger and grabbing his crouch -- earning the coach a hefty $20,000 fine.

Deion Sanders

Following the Atlanta Braves' victory in the 1992 NLCS, Deion Sanders celebrated by pouring an ice-cold bucket of water on broadcaster Tim McCarver. McCarver, who previously denounced Sanders for attempting to play for both the Atlanta Falcons and Braves on the same day, was vindicated when "Prime Time" was dumped with a $1,000 fine.

Charles Barkley

Throughout his 16-year career in the NBA, Charles Barkley was often the subject of contention. This was never truer than in March 1991, when Barkley retaliated to a pestering New Jersey fan by spitting into the stands, instead hitting a little girl by mistake. The mouthy gesture cost Barkley $10,000, a suspension and heaps of insults from fans and the national media alike.

Dave Kingman

Former Oakland A's outfielder Dave Kingman wasn't pleased after being criticized by Sacramento Bee reporter Susan Fornoff during the 1986 MLB season. In a gesture of payback, Kingman gift-wrapped a live rat and tagged it with the label "My name is Sue." He delivered it to Fornoff before Oakland's game against the Kansas City Royals. MLB officials weren't pleased about that, tagging Kingman with a $3,500 fine in return.