Accountability: Fines & Appeals

The NFL and the NFL Players Association collectively bargain an on-field code of conduct for all players. The result: a well-defined schedule of infractions and fines.

Learn about the NFL's review process for on-field rules violations

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The NFL uses the fine schedule to outline the league’s and the union’s expectations for players to conduct themselves in a way that honors the sport and respects the game, themselves, their fellow players, the fans and the league. The rules are intended to protect the players from unnecessary risk, promote player safety and emphasize sportsmanship and respect of teammates, opponents, coaches, officials and fans.

Player infractions may come to the league’s attention in a variety of ways. The league may respond to an official’s call during a game or to a specific play that a team submits for review. The NFL Officiating Department also reviews every play from every game and refers potential violations to the Football Operations compliance team.

League staff members examine the plays identified as having potential infractions to determine whether there is cause for additional review.

Jon Runyan, NFL vice president of policy and rules administration

Jon Runyan

(AP Photo/Scott Boehm)

Runyan, a Pro Bowler in 2002, played for Houston/Tennessee, Philadelphia and San Diego during his 14 years in the NFL. After his playing career, Runyan served New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011–15.

In his role with NFL Football Operations, Runyan, inducted to the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame in 2021, oversees club and game-related initiatives related to players. He serves as Commissioner Roger Goodell’s designee for on-field discipline and supervises the uniform and protective equipment inspection program. Runyan’s approach to decreasing on-field violations emphasizes communication, consistent application of the rules and player education.

“It was my life’s dream to play in the NFL and I am incredibly grateful for the experience those 14 seasons gave me,” Runyan said. “I am thrilled to once again be a part of the NFL family and give back to the game that gave me so much."

Runyan works closely with groups across the league, including the Competition Committee, Player Safety Advisory Panel, head coaches and team equipment managers.

“Jon’s breadth of experience from the gridiron to the halls of Congress to the NFL offices brings a unique perspective shaped by leadership as a player and in public service,” said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent.

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Derrick Brooks, NFL appeals officer

DERRICK BROOKS

(AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)

Derrick Brooks received two football-related honors in 2014: He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and he was chosen as an appeals officer by the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).

Either Brooks or former NFL player James Thrash hears a player’s appeal of an on-field accountability measure. Every player has the right to appeal his discipline, and the decision by the appeals officer is final.

“Derrick views the game with a very unique understanding as both a player and team president,” said Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president of Football Operations, referring to Brooks’ 14 seasons in the NFL and his service since 2011 as president of the Arena Football League’s Tampa Bay Storm.

“We expect he will bring expertise and professionalism to his role as an arbitration officer,” said Jason Besler, the NFLPA’s senior director of player affairs and development.

Brooks, a linebacker with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times in his career. Never missing a game, he was an integral piece of Tampa Bay’s formidable defense throughout the 2000s and was a leader on the Buccaneers team that defeated the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002.

Before being drafted by Tampa Bay in 1995, Brooks was a three-time All-American linebacker at Florida State and helped lead the Seminoles to the national championship in 1993.

Brooks brings the leadership skills he learned as an elite football player to his role in the player appeals process.

“I just want to do the best I can to make something better than it is when I come to touch with it,” he said in his 2014 Hall of Fame induction speech. “And I’m going to work to do that.”

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James Thrash, NFL appeals officer

James Thrash

The NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) have jointly appointed former NFL player James Thrash to serve as an NFL appeals officer starting in 2015.

Thrash played wide receiver for the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles from 1997-2008. Following his 12-year playing career, Thrash led player development for Washington, helping coordinate an internship program for players and working with players and their families on financial and education programs. He later joined NFL Player Engagement, serving current and former players for three years.

Thrash brings years of on-field and front office experience to his position as appeals officer, where he will oversee player fines and keep the game safe.

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Players subject to accountability measures receive a letter informing them of what they did, a video of the play in question, why they are being fined and how much it will cost them. They also receive information on how to appeal the fine. If they choose not to appeal, the fine is withheld from their next game check.

If a player protests a ruling, he schedules a hearing with the NFL, and his case is assigned to one of the league’s current appeals officers, Derrick Brooks or James Thrash, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL/NFLPA. Cases are assigned randomly, so neither side in the appeals process knows who will hear a case. The officer assigned to the case reviews the play and hears the league’s case and the player’s defense. The officer’s decision is final, and the ruling is binding.

If the discipline is upheld, the league withholds the amount of the fine from the player’s next check. If the player’s fine is rescinded, he will receive notification of the decision, and no money will be taken from his check.

The fines collected are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support Legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.

Since 2011, about $4 million a year has been used to support these worthy causes.

Violation	First Offense	Second Offense

Offense Against Game Official
Physical Contact with Official *	$38,349	$76,702
Verbal or other Non-Physical Offense Against Official *	$30,679	$61,362
Player Safety Rules and/or Flagrant Personal Foul (including, without limitation):
Striking/Kicking/Kneeing	$11,473	$16,937
Horse Collar Tackle *	$16,391	$21,855
Face Mask	$10,927	$16,391
Leg Whip	$16,391	$21,855
Late Hit	$10,927	$16,391
Impermissible Use of the Helmet/Launching *	$21,855	$43,709
Hit on Defenseless Player *	$16,391	$21,855
Blindside Block *	$16,391	$21,855
Roughing the Passer *	$16,391	$21,855
Low Block	$11,473	$16,937
Chop Block	$11,473	$16,444

Fighting
Fighting *	$38,349	$76,702
Leaving Bench Area During a Fight	$11,473	$16,937

Sportsmanship
Unsportsmanlike Conduct	$13,659	$19,123
Taunting	$10,927	$16,391
Football Into Stands	$7,649	$13,113

Uniform
Foreign Substances on Body/Uniform	$5,464	$10,927
Chin Straps/Shoulder Pads/ Thigh, Knee Pads/ Over Built Facemask	$5,464	$10,927
Unapproved Visor Tint or Lack of Brand Marks	$5,464	$10,927
Personal Messages	$10,927	$15,914
Unauthorized Logo/ Branding or Intellectual Property	$10,927	$21,855
Uniform Violations (Socks, Jersey, Undergarments, etc.)	$5,464	$16,391
Gang Signing	Considered conduct detrimental to the League; suspension or fine; severity to be determined in accordance with provisions of the Personal Conduct Policy.

VIOLATION	FIRST OFFENSE	SECOND OFFENSE

Offense Against Game Official
Physical Contact With Official	$33,425	$66,852
Verbal or Other Non-physical Offense Against Official	$26,739	$53,482

Player Safety Rules and/or Flagrant Personal Foul (including, without limitation):	Suspension or fine; severity to be determined by degree of violation (FINES LISTED ARE MINIMUMS).
Striking/Kicking/Kneeing	$10,026	$20,054
Horse-Collar Tackle	$20,054	$40,110
Face Mask	$10,026	$20,054
Leg Whip	$20,054	$40,110
Late Hit	$10,026	$20,054
Spearing	$26,739	$53,482
Impermissible Use of the Helmet (including illegal launching)	$26,739	$53,482
Hit on Defenseless Player	$26,739	$53,482
Blindside Block	$26,739	$53,482
Roughing the Passer	$20,054	$40,110
Low Block	$10,026	$20,054
Chop Block	$10,026	$20,054

Fighting
Fighting	$33,425	$66,852
Unnecessarily Entering Fight Area (active involvement)	$6,683	$13,369
Unnecessarily Entering Fight Area (no active involvement)	$3,340	$10,026

Sportsmanship
Excessive Profanity; Other Unsportsmanlike Conduct (e.g., toward opponent[s], game personnel, fans, etc.)	$13,369	$26,739
Taunting	$10,026	$13,369
Football Into Stands	$6,683	$13,369

Uniform
Foreign Substances on Body/Uniform	$10,026	$20,054
Chin Straps	$10,026	$13,369
Personal Messages	$6,683	$13,369
(Additional fines may be imposed on team management and coaching staffs for condoning, permitting, etc., violations in this area)
Other Uniform/Equipment Violations	$6,683	$13,369
On-Field Commercial Logo Violation	Considered violation of official league licensing agreements; suspension or fine; severity to be determined by degree of violation.
Gang Signing	Considered conduct detrimental to the league; suspension or fine; severity to be determined in accordance with provisions of the Personal Conduct Policy.

Starting in 2012, fine minimums will increase by 5 percent each year as stipulated in the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement. The increases continue throughout the duration of the current CBA.

Club	Player	Quarter	Time	Fine Category	Fine Amount
CLV	Taven Bryan	3	11:42	Unnecessary Roughness	$10,609.00
CAR	Brian Burns	3	11:42	Unnecessary Roughness	$14,097.00
DEN	Jonathon Cooper	3	11:42	Unnecessary Roughness	$11,194.13
BUF	Stefon Diggs	3	11:42	Unsportsmanlike Conduct	$4,723.00
LA	Justin Hollins	3	11:42	Unnecessary Roughness	$3,921.29
CLV	John Johnson	3	11:42	A hit on a Quarterback	$15,914.00
ATL	Chris Lindstrom	3	11:42	Unsportsmanlike Conduct	$13,261.00
NYG	Sterling Shepard	3	11:42	Unnecessary Roughness	$3,939.00
LA	Keir Thomas	3	11:42	Unsportsmanlike Conduct	$10,609.00
ARZ	Jalen Thompson	3	11:42	A hit on a Quarterback	$15,914.00
CAR	Shaq Thompson	3	11:42	Unnecessary Roughness	$10,609.00
PIT	Jaylen Warren	3	11:42	Unnecessary Roughness	$11,139.00
DEN	Javonte Williams	3	11:42	Unnecessary Roughness	$21,218.00
NO	P.J. Williams	3	11:42	Unnecessary Roughness	$5,361.00

Rules Enforcement

The NFL and the NFL Players Association collectively bargain an on-field code of conduct for all players. The result: a well-defined schedule of infractions and fines.

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Accountability: Fines & Appeals

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Rules Enforcement

The NFL and the NFL Players Association collectively bargain an on-field code of conduct for all players. The result: a well-defined schedule of infractions and fines.

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