Fines are a part of life in the NFL. During the 2024 regular and postseason the league handed out over $5.8 million in fines for on-field conduct, per Spotrac.com. Using Spotrac’s data, BetGeorgia.com examined fines issued to Atlanta Falcons’ players this year. We identified which players paid the most for their actions and calculated what they could have purchased with that money instead. Below, meet the Falcons’ biggest offenders this season.
Rank | Player | Total Fines |
1 | Drake London | $25,324 |
T-2 | Bijan Robinson | $22,511 |
T-2 | Justin Simmons | $22,511 |
T-4 | Jessie Bates III | $11,255 |
T-4 | Lorenzo Carter | $11,255 |
T-4 | Matthew Bergeron | $11,255 |
7 | Ray-Ray McCloud | $10,528 |
8 | Kentavius Street | $9,917 |
9 | DeAngelo Malone | $7,924 |
10 | James Smith-Williams | $7,180 |
In total, 14 Falcons received a fine in 2024, costing the players $161,776 overall. Wide receiver Drake London was the only player on the team to earn a fine more than once, paying $14,069 for an obscene gesture in Week 2 and $11,255 for taunting in Week 18. Running back Bijan Robinson and safety Justin Simmons racked up the largest charge for an individual incident, each paying $22,511 for impermissible use of the helmet.
According to the NFL, 543 plays across the league resulted in a fine this season. When totals from suspensions are added the league’s fine bill more than doubles to over $12 million. In the context of all 32 teams, the Falcons fine totals were on the low side, ranking 24th in amount paid for on-field infractions and suspensions. While every team accumulated at least $100,000 in fines, Atlanta was one of eleven teams to stay under $200,000 worth of fines.
Houston led the NFL in fines with over $3.1 million, almost three and a half times more than the second place Chargers amassed, though about two thirds of that money came from Denico Autry’s six game suspension for PED usage. The single largest charge to a player for on-field behavior went against Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who was levied $140,969 for taunting in Week 6.
Product | Total* |
Round-Trip to Miami in Private Jet | $24,000 |
Down payment on 2024 Rolls-Royce Ghost | $25,000 |
Luxury Suite at Mercedes-Benz Stadium | $20,000 |
Dinner at Bacchanalia (10 guests) | $1,250 |
Luxury Villa Rental in Fiji (5 nights) | $22,500 |
*Totals vary based on game, suite, and specifics. Average prices were used.
While NFL fine amounts would break the bank for the average person, to players in a league with a $795,000 minimum yearly salary they represent just a fraction of their contract value. For example, even on a rookie deal Drake London made $2.66 million cash for the 2024 season, so his fines cost him less than one percent of his annual salary. For London it is the equivalent of a person making $50,000 a year receiving a $475 speeding ticket. Still, that fine money could have gone to many different uses if the league office did not get involved.
Splurgy experiences like luxury travel and entertainment packages often cost well into five figures and beyond. London could have taken a private jet trip to Miami, booked a journey to the South Pacific or even rented out a suite at Mercedes-Benz stadium with his fine money if he so chose. If cars were more his style, the down payment for a 2024 Rolls-Royce Ghost comes in at $25,000, though the total MSRP is over $350,000 so he would need to set aside some of his salary for payments.
London could also have treated his teammates to some extravagant meals with that money if he wanted. At $125 a person for the four-course prix fixe menu, London could have paid for dinner for ten at Atlanta hotspot Bacchanalia twenty times over. That is enough to host the entire active roster, practice squad, coaching and support staff plus maybe some spouses. Just hope they do not order wine pairings and/or caviar supplements.
Fine money is ultimately donated by the NFL to various charities, chiefly the NFL Foundation and the Professional Athletes Foundation.
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USA Today photo by Brett Davis.
Author
Josh Markowitz is a freelance writer for BetGeorgia.com. He is a lifelong sports fan who emphasizes basketball, football, baseball, and the scouting/evaluation process. A graduate of Elon University's School of Communications, Josh also has experience in television production.
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