Andre Johnson: NFL Got It Right By Fining and Not Suspending Him For Fight

According to reports, Andre Johnson and Cortland Finnegan will both be fined $25,000 by the NFL for their fight during Sunday's game.

The NFL would be correct with that decision. The incident was not consistent with Johnson's character. However, it is very consistent with Finnegan's character, or lack thereof.

The NFL has taken a hard stand for hits on defenseless receivers, head to head contact and off-the-field conduct. It is also time the NFL takes a similar stand on players that instigate incidents such as this.

Here are 10 reasons Andre Johnson should not have been suspended for Sunday's fight and Finnegan needs to be sat down for at least four games.

10. Cortland Finnegan Desires To Be NFL's Dirtiest Player

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 11: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is pulled down by Cortland Finnegan #31 of the Tennessee Titans on September 11, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Titans 13-10 in overtime. (

In his career Cortland Finnegan has been viewed as a dirty player and it is a role he enjoys.

Finnegan was voted in a Sports Illustrated poll as the sixth-dirtiest player with Hines Ward finishing first. His response truly showed what kind of a player he is.

“It’s a compliment, that’s absolutely a compliment,” Finnegan told TitanInsider. “He was voted the league’s dirtiest player, so you’ve got to give it up for him. For someone to say something as nice as that, I appreciate it. I’m number [six] right now, but I’m aspiring to one day hopefully be No. 1. So, I appreciate it.”

It is not a surprise that he is constantly involved in altercations on the field.

9. Finnegan Vs. Slaton

It is well known that a lot happens at the bottom of a pile in the National Football League. Cortland Finnegan takes it to a whole new level when he arrives at the end of the play and takes a punch at Steve Slaton.

8. Finnegan Vs. Smith

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 26: Steve Smith #12 of the New York Giants runs the ball against Cortland Finnegan #31 of the Tennessee Titans at New Meadowlands Stadium on September 26, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Titans defeated the Giants

Earlier this season Finnegan was fined $5,000 for an unnecessary roughness penalty on Giants receiver Steve Smith. Finnegan was fined for tackling Giants receiver Steve Smith by his helmet while making a tackle.

7. Finnegan Vs. Kuper

Finnegan was also fined $10,000 for his late hit on Broncos guard Chris Kuper. The league then warned Finnegan that future similar infractions would warrant increased discipline.

6. Finnegan Vs. Johnson

Reports have stated that Finnegan was taunting the Texans sideline prior to the fight breaking out. After the two were separated, Finnegan can still be seen taunting Johnson in the video of the fight. He continued to be arrogant as he walked back to the Titans locker room.

5. Andre Johnson Has No Past On-Field Issues in NFL

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HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 28: Wide receiver Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans completes a catch in the back of the endzone for a score as he was defended by linebacker Tim Shaw #59 of the Tennessee Titans at Reliant Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Housto

This was Johnson's first offense with the league. It would have been against the trend of discipline the league has enforced upon first time offenders in the league. Everyone that has responded about Johnson's character stated this incident was completely isolated and unlike him.

4. Johnson Was Immediately Apologetic

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HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Andre Johnson #80 walks off the field after losing control of a pass that was intercepted by San Diego Charger Paul Oliver at Reliant Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Also to his credit, Johnson took immediate accountability for his actions. In the locker room following the game, he wished he could take back the fight and was prepared for whatever discipline the league was going to hand down to him.

3. Johnson Was Not the Aggressor

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HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 28: Cornerback Cortland Finnegan #31 of the Tennessee Titans is held back by an official after getting into a fight with Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Leve

Finnegan clearly has a history of picking fights and causing disruption with opponents. Throughout the game, Johnson was beating him on the field and Finnegan resorted to his punk-like tactics. In the video it is also evident that Johnson did not start throwing punches until Finnegan ripped Johnson's helmet off and threw it.

2. Officials Should Have Had More Control on the Field

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HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 28: Wide receiver Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans is separated by umpire Garth DeFerlice #53 from cornerback Cortland Finnegan #31 of the Tennessee Titans after the two exchanged punches in the fourth quarter at Reliant Stadium

With Finnegan's history as a player and the ongoing battle between the two players, the officials should have been better prepared for the game. As soon as the two players started getting in each other's faces, they should have intervened better and perhaps could have prevented the fight from occurring.

1. The NFL Did Not Suspend Richard Seymour

Richard Seymour clearly and blatantly punched Ben Roethlisberger in the face after the play was completed. He faced no suspension for his actions. Andre Johnson's punches were after being physically provoked multiple times during the game.

It was a good move for the league to remain consistent in their discipline, especially since the average reasonable person would probably be more likely to side with Johnson than Seymour's actions.