Why did the NFL fine New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr for his touchdown celebration?

On the scale of flamboyance, the celebration performed by the New Orleans Saints signal caller probably doesn’t even register as a 5.0. That said, the motion enacted by the Saints’ man under center was one that has traditionally divided opinion, even when it was popularized by the man considered to be the king of pop.

Derek Carr’s nod to Michael Jackson earns him a fine

On Sunday night, the New Orleans Saints laid down a marker by defeating the Dallas Cowboys 19-44. It was a victory that brought to an end a 16-game Cowboys winning streak and at the center of it all - literally and figuratively - was the Saints’ quarterback Derek Carr.

Where numbers are concerned, Carr threw for 243 yards and two TDs to go along with a 1-yard sneak for a score. For context, the Saints secured touchdowns on their first six drives against the Cowboys. What’s more, is that the performance comes just after the team set a franchise record in their season opener against the Carolina Panthers who they dismantled 47-10. Nonetheless, we come back to Carr who aside from his impressive performance in the middle, also took time to pay tribute to Michael Jackson’s iconic dance move, after scoring the aforementioned rushing TD to give his team a 35-13 lead.

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If you’re unfamiliar with the move in question - we find that hard to believe - you can see it in the clip above but be advised, there is crotch grabbing involved which is exactly what the ‘Billie Jean’ singer was known for. Sadly, not everybody was a fan of Carr’s choice in celebration and that’s now been made clear by the fact that the NFL is now reportedly set to fine him $14,069 for his moves. According to reports, the move qualifies as “unsportsmanlike conduct,” which also includes “any violent gesture, or an act that is sexually suggestive or offensive.”

It’s worth noting that Carr was not actually penalized for the celebration at the time, which is to say the league has clearly chosen to take a stance. That of course brings us to the obvious question: ‘As an NFL player, doesn’t Derek Carr have some idea of the league’s code of conduct?’ Whether that’s the case or not doesn’t matter because what we do know is that Carr would probably have done it anyway. Indeed, the 33-year-old promised his family that he would. “People don’t know a lot of stuff about me. ... Weddings or birthdays, I’m always dancing,” Carr following the game. “One time I hit the Michael Jackson and [my brothers] were like, ‘Bro, you have to do that if you score.’”