Cincinnati Bengals’ Chase Brown Fined $5K for Using Salvation Army Kettle in Touchdown Celebration: ‘Really?’

Mar. 15, 2025

Chase Brown.Photo:Perry Knotts/Getty

Perry Knotts/Getty

TheNFLhas fined Cincinnati Bengals running backChase Brownfor jumping into the Dallas Cowboys’ gigantic red Salvation Army donation kettle after scoring a touchdown onMonday Night Footballearlier this month.

The outlet reported that the fine is due to the NFL banning players from using props during their touchdown celebrations, which have seen a handful of rules relaxed in recent years as they become more embedded in the game.

After the game, the 24-year-old running back was shocked when reporters informed him the league could potentially fine him for the celebration. Jumping into the red Salvation Army kettle has become somewhat of an NFL tradition in Dallas, when the team sets up the display behind the endzone during the holidays each year.

Chase Brown.Perry Knotts/Getty

Even Brown told reporters he was so used to seeing it happen every year that he wasn’t aware there were any rules against such a celebration.

A reporter then asked Brown, “don’t you get a fine for that? Jumping in the kettle?”“Do I really?” Brown said, looking shocked. “I hope not. Like, a big fine?”Another reporter then asked Brown if it was “worth it” to get fined for jumping in the kettle.“No, definitely not!” the Bengals running back laughed. “I don’t make enough money for that s—.”

In one example, NBC notes that Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot was fined $13,369 for jumping in the kettle in 2018, but wasn’t fined for the same celebration in 2016. In Nov. 2023, during a game on Thanksgiving Day, the league also didn’t issue fines after multiple Cowboys players jumped in the red kettles behind the endzone and ate turkey legs preemptively hidden inside them.

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In an interview withThe Athleticon Tuesday, Brown said he plans to appeal the NFL’s decision.

“I’d rather just donate it, like let’s cut it in half and donate it to Salvation Army,” Brown said before pointing out that the kettles are in “every corner” of the stadium and the opportunity to jump in is just too good for players to pass up.

“It’s bait!” Brown laughed. “We’re getting set up.”

source: people.com