Seahawks’ Kearse reportedly fined for NFC Championship toss
Jan 23, 2015, 6:45 PM | Updated: Jan 24, 2015, 10:30 am
Jermaine Kearse throws the ball into the stands after his game-winning touchdown catch in overtime of the NFC Championship. (AP)
(AP)
The NFL has reportedly fined Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse for launching the ball into the stands after his game-winning touchdown catch in overtime in the NFC Championship.
FOX Sports 1 NFL Insider Mike Garafolo reports that the league dinged Kearse $5,512 on Friday for the exuberant celebration.
It’s a bizarre amount, but the reason for the fine actually makes sense. It turns out the NFL doesn’t want fans fighting for a souvenir sent sailing into the stands.
The guy who caught the ball, Scott Shelton of Monroe, has gotten plenty of attention after he turned down several offers for the ball, including $25,000 from the star of TV’s Hard Core Pawn in a failed deal brokered on KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson Show.
Shelton and Kearse connected on Friday, with the receiver trading him a signed NFC Championship game jersey, Kearse posted on his Facebook page.
Shelton won’t be wearing it for long. The convicted burglar is set to begin serving a prison sentence for weapons charges the day after the Super Bowl.
