Chiefs' Eric Fisher Fined $14K for Pouring 2 Beers on Himself in Win over Texans

In the latest example of the NFL's cognitive dissonance, Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher has been fined $14,037 by the league for pouring beers on himself while celebrating Blake Bell's fourth-quarter touchdown against the Houston Texans in a Jan. 12 divisional-round victory.

The ruling comes shortly after the NFL nominated Fisher for celebration of the week and following a promotional video in which Fisher, the Chiefs and Budweiser provided the fans whose beers Fisher used with signed jerseys and a massive supply of beer. 

The $14,037 fine represents the minimum the league can levy against a first-time offender for unsportsmanlike conduct outside taunting or throwing a football into the stands, both of which carry lighter fines. A second infraction would lead to a minimum penalty of $28,075 per the league's 2019 fine schedule.

Money isn't the issue so much as consistency. It's one thing to call out a player for unsportsmanlike conduct and issue a reprimand. It's an entirely different situation when the league uses the conduct for promotional content—to say nothing of creating original marketing opportunities for major sponsors. 

The NFL can't support players drinking on the field for numerous reasons—safety and otherwise—but it was clear Fisher wasn't trying to get drunk. He was instead emulating wrestling legend Steve Austin's much parodied beer chug, something that in itself is an act of entertainment.