Baker Mayfield, Bucky Irving Fined for "You Stink" Gesture in Week 13 Win Over Cardinals
The NFL's weekly fine sheet came with a little extra sting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers heading into their divisional showdown with the Saints. Quarterback Baker Mayfield and rookie running back Bucky Irving were both docked for a celebration that crossed the league’s line for unsportsmanlike conduct - a moment that went viral but didn’t sit well with the league office.
With just over four minutes left in the third quarter of Tampa Bay’s Week 13 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Mayfield and Irving were flagged for a gesture commonly known as the “nose swipe” - a move that’s been interpreted as the “you stink” taunt. While it may have played to the crowd and social media, the NFL didn’t find it quite as entertaining.
Mayfield was hit with a $14,191 fine for his part in the celebration, while Irving was fined $6,349. The difference in amounts comes down to the league’s fine structure, which is scaled based on a player’s salary - and as a rookie, Irving’s paycheck is a fraction of Mayfield’s. Still, it’s a costly reminder that even small moments of showmanship can carry big consequences in today’s NFL.
This was Mayfield’s first fine of the season, which is notable considering he’s had his share of fiery moments - including some pointed postgame criticism of officiating after a recent loss to the Lions. The league opted not to fine him for those comments, but this time, the celebration was enough to draw a financial penalty.
The Bucs, meanwhile, snapped a three-game losing streak with their win over Arizona, climbing to 7-5 and reclaiming the top spot in the NFC South. With the Panthers close behind, every game - and every play - matters. And while the “No Fun League” moniker gets thrown around anytime fines like this are handed out, the message from the league is clear: keep the celebrations clean, or expect to pay up.
As Tampa Bay prepares for a critical divisional clash, they’ll do so knowing that their margin for error - both on the scoreboard and in the eyes of the league office - is razor-thin.