Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. was fined for taunting an opponent during the team's Week 16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
The league announced Murphy owes $11,255 for taunting Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the third quarter.
Murphy stood over Smith-Njigba after an incompletion and looked down on him for a moment but wasn't flagged for anything at the time.
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) December 28, 2024Byron Murphy (Vikings) got fined for taunting Jaxon Smith-Njigba on what was a pretty big 3rd down stop in the 3rd quarter of the Seahawks game.
No penalty called at the time, which would've been 15 yards. pic.twitter.com/XiQfUpmHhs
The fine isn't paid to the league but instead the NFLPA Players Assistance Trust - which helps former players - and other charitable organizations.
There are six categories of misconduct that could result in possible fines from the league, that include:
- Offense against a game official
- Player safety rules
- Fighting
- Sportsmanship
- Uniform
- Gang signing
Murphy's fine falls under the sportsmanship category.
According to Pro Football Focus, Murphy had the eighth-best overall defensive grade (73.5) among his teammates in the win over Seattle last weekend. He also had the third-best PFF tackling grade (83), trailing only Camryn Bynum (84.8) and Josh Metellus (85).
Bynum has had a solid season, alike the Vikings' defense as a whole, as he's tallied a team-high six interceptions. The 26-year-old is due to be a free agent heading into next season.
