Ugly Moments in Titans History

SI Staff | Jan 27, 2011

Ugly Moments in Titans History /

Ugly Moments in Titans History

Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan has earned a reputation for questionable play in 2010, landing fines for $15,000 for violations against Giants' wide receiver Steve Smith and Broncos' guard Chris Kuper. None, however, were quite as memorable as his fourth quarter brawl against Andre Johnson in a Week 12 showdown with the Texans. After taunting the Pro Bowl Houston wideout, Finnegan absorbed a flurry of punches to the back of his head before both were ejected. Finnegan also added $25,000 to his fine total for his role in the fight.

In one of the most appalling plays in recent memory, then-Titan Albert Haynesworth stomped on Cowboys' center Andre Gurode's head on Oct. 1, 2006, opening a severe gash under his right eye that required 30 stitches. Haynesworth was ejected from the game and suspended for the next five for his heinous act. "What I did out there was disgusting," he said in his postgame press conference.

In a Week 4 game against the Titans in 2010, Denver coach Josh McDaniels vented to the media about what he perceived as Tennessee's dirty play. He backed quarterback Kyle Orton's claim that the Titans were taking cheap shots at offensive lineman, dubbing the contest "one of the cheapest games I've ever seen."

Known for his unpredictable temper, Vince Young threw a tantrum after being benched on Nov. 21 versus the Redskins. The volatile quarterback originally left the game after suffering a thumb injury, and was held out by coach Jeff Fisher after he deemed Young unfit to return. Young reacted to the news by storming off the field and hurling his uniform into the stands. The Titans opted not to bring him back for the 2011 season.

The Titans' penchant for inappropriate action apparently starts at the top, as owner Bud Adams famously gave the Buffalo Bills the finger -- with both hands -- after Tennessee claimed a 41-17 victory on Nov. 15, 2009. His emphatic gesture wasn't appreciated by the NFL. He was fined $250,000.

Defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil didn't agree with the officials' flagging his Titans in their Week 4 matchup with the Broncos, expressing his frustration by showing the refs his middle finger. The league took offense to that, promptly slapping Cecil with a $40,000 fine. The Titans went on to lose the game 26-20.

LenDale White didn't wait long to make headlines during his rookie year in Tennessee. He spit in the face of teammate Donnie Nickey in a 2006 practice, spurring a brief scuffle that teammates, and Jeff Fisher, eventually broke up. After gaining a full understanding of the situation, Fisher told the media, "LenDale understands he crossed the line. You just don't do that. It will not happen again."

Though his on-field play wasn't particularly egregious, Pacman Jones attracted plenty of bad press for his role in a series of off-field altercations at a Las Vegas nightclub in February 2007. Jones was charged with a felony count of coercion, a misdemeanor count of battery and a misdemeanor count of threat to life. Commissioner Roger Goodell handed him a full-year suspension for his involvement, effectively marking the end of his career in Tennessee. He joined the Dallas Cowboys upon his reinstatement in 2008.

Published Jan 27, 2011

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