NFL News: New York Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. fined for punching an opponent
Odell Beckham Jr. has been fined approximately US$8,681 (AU$11914.63) by the NFL for punching an opponent in the New York Giants game against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday.
Beckham was caught on camera punching at the helmet of Bills safety Duke Williams during a play in the final quarter. No penalty was called during the play, but the league reviews plays after the game for “discipline purposes.”
After the league's announcement of the fine, Beckham said he would appeal the penalty.
"Of course. I get punched every single game. I get hit in my face every single game. These are grown men out here. I don't think anybody should be talking about what happened after they lost a game,” Beckham told ESPN.com.
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin stated that he’s disappointed with his star wide receiver, or WR, for the actions but believes that Beckham is just an “emotional guy,” and he wants the WR to continue to play his game.
"I feel like I do a pretty good job. I don't remember getting any flags during the game. Controlling my emotions is not really my concern,” Beckham added in the ESPN article.
Some Bills players accused Beckham of throwing the punch and even said in interviews that he will “get away with it” because he is “the golden boy of the league.”
“He’s different. It’s kind of like you’re playing your little brother and he gets mad at you for being too physical with him — throwing a tantrum. I’m like, ‘Man, we’re playing football. It’s a physical game... He’s a prima donna. He feels like he’s on top of the world and nobody’s supposed to do anything to him,” Bills Cornerback Stephon Gilmore said via the Buffalo News.
The 22-year-old Beckham, who was the first round pick by the Giants in the 2014 draft or the 12th overall selection, had 38 receiving yards on 5 catches in the 24-10 win over the Bills. For the season, he has a total of 307 receiving yards on 24 catches with 2 touchdowns.
The Giants currently have a 2-2 win-loss record with wins over the Bills and Washington Redskins and losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons.
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