Fansided

Josh Norman fined $25K for blasting NFL officials

By Phillip Barnard

Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman has been fined $25,000 for his recent comments towards NFL officials.

Last Sunday morning, fans watched the latest game to be played over in London. The Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins battled to a tie score, marking the second tie of the 2016 NFL season. But Redskins cornerback Josh Norman was none to pleased.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk tweeted out on Saturday night that the cornerback has been fined $25,000 by the NFL, after he went on a public ref blasting session following the game. During the game, he was penalized multiple times for offenses against Bengals wide receiver AJ Green. He specifically called out one of the officials during the post-game press conference.

"Who is official #88? He sucked. I’m just gonna be honest wit you. I’m gonna be straightforward. He was terrible. I feel like some of the plays that was going on out there, it was just…I mean, it was terrible."

Norman was one of several NFL stars to voice their opinions on the NFL officiating last Sunday, but so far Norman is the only one to receive a fine for his comments. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton recently had a sit-down with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell over a hit he took, and noted that it was taking the fun out of playing for him.

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The NFL responded accordingly. Dean Blandino, the NFL VP of Officiating, said that repeated defensive flags for “illegal hands to the face” were legit and correct calls. Three of those four penalites were accepted, resulting in five yards and a a first down for each call. The only declined call was on a play where Green reeled in a 40-yard catch.  Washington head coach Jay Gruden thinks that the officials may be targeting Norman.

"As far as him being targeted, he probably is a little bit, but he’s going to have to deal with it and work on his hand placement and just continue to work and get better and better. Some of the great corners had to go through that a little bit, it just goes with the territory. WHen you’re a great player, people keep a closer eye on you."

The Redskins have this week off, as they recover from the long trip back from England. They will return to the field on November 13, when they host the Minnesota Vikings.

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