Snowgate: Should the NFL Have Fined Jets' Shaun Ellis for Snowball in Seattle?

The NFL has slapped the longest-tenured member of the New York Jets with a $10,000 fine, and most fans aren't exactly sure why the penalty is so hefty.

After New York's crushing loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, fans at Qwest Field hurled snowballs at the Jets players as they returned to the locker room.

Most players jogged off the field to avoid being hit, while others walked with their heads down in shame.

Prior to entering the tunnel, New York's Shaun Ellis picked up a block of snow and hurled it at a fan. The fan grabbed the block of snow and held it in the air triumphantly as the crowd laughed and applauded.

Shaun Ellis had a humor about the situation—the NFL did not.

But was it fair for Ellis to be the recipient of such a hefty fine for something that was done in jest?

And then again—were the snowballs really thrown in jest?

Seahawks fans will say that they were throwing the snowballs out of excitement, and as an homage to their departing head coach for his final victory on their sidelines.

Another YouTube video points to the contrary.

A Seahawks fan uploaded a video he described with "jets guy gets owned by snowballs." (You can view it here.)

Granted the NFL can't fine a team for the actions of its fans. But it's clear that the snowballs weren't thrown out of pure excitement and good fun. The Seahawks fans were rubbing in their second win at home by rushing the Jets off a field they never showed up at to begin with.

It's similar to a situation in Giants Stadium years ago when fans were caught throwing snow and ice onto the field. Security tapes were reviewed, and the people responsible lost their season tickets.

If Ellis is being penalized for this, the NFL and the Seahawks organization should look into punishing the fans who provoked Ellis' response to begin with.

For more info: Ryan Hogan provided excellent analysis of the situation before Ellis' fine was announced.

Angel Navedo covers the New York Jets for Examiner.com. His work can also be found on NYJetsFan.com, where he is the Head Writer, and on MyGridironSpace.com—a premier social networking site built exclusively for NFL fans.

He is also a Senior Writer at the Bleacher Report, where he is one of the New York Jets Community Leaders.