Peyton Manning Fined for Taunting: Latest Details and Reaction

Updates from Friday, Aug. 29

Fox 26's Mark Berman reports more on Swearinger:

Original Text

If you expected Peyton Manning to show remorse for his penalty and subsequent fine after taunting D.J. Swearinger during the Denver Broncos' third preseason game against the Houston Texans, think again.

On Thursday, the NFL levied a fine against Manning, who seemed more than happy to pay it, per Chris Mortensen of ESPN:

Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports weighed in on the amount of the fine:

Manning apparently took issue with Swearinger for the hit he made on Wes Welker earlier in the game, concussing the veteran wide receiver and knocking him out of the game. So Manning got back at him in a way he's often exacted revenge against defensive backs who earn his ire, burning Swearinger and his teammates for a touchdown.

The NFL Network on Twitter passed along the video:

But Manning took his revenge a step further, taunting Swearinger, a man who has earned himself quite the reputation for being a trash-talker. That part was rare. According to Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post, it was Manning's first-ever taunting penalty in the NFL.

Here's Manning commenting on the incident:

In many ways, Manning's teammates probably love this. He was sticking up for one of his guys, and while it wouldn't have been a smart play in the regular season, this was at the end of the half in a preseason game. No harm was done in that regard, and Manning comes off looking like a fiery leader and a man who has his teammates' backs.

Folks seem more amused than anything else by Manning's comments on the taunting and the moment itself. It's a minuscule fine for a player of his stature and a rare moment of the poised quarterback losing his cool, and it came in defense of a teammate.

Just don't expect to see it during the regular season. If you think Manning is ever going to risk giving away 15 yards, think again.