Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was penalized by the NFL for violating league guidelines by celebrating a touchdown. But he may not have to pay his fine as former organizing star Chad Johnson has offered to do it for him.
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In the final game against the Baltimore Ravens, Mixon celebrated his time in the end zone by pulling out a coin and simulating a coin toss. It is illegal under NFL rules to use an item to celebrate a touchdown.
However, former Ohio wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson took the blame on his Twitter account and offered to compensate Mixon.
Ahead of the game, Johnson wrote: “Dear Bengals players, if you love me like I love you, if you score a touchdown tomorrow, someone has to flip a coin to celebrate.”
This idea was related to the NFL’s announcement of how home field advantage would have been determined if the Ravens had won the game. The location of the elimination game confrontation between the two formations would have been determined by a coin toss. This decision was made following the cancellation of the Bengals’ game against the Buffalo Bills after Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the ground.
When Johnson learned that Number 28 would be sanctioned by the NFL, Johnson again used his account to send another message. “I’m going to Cincinnati with my checkbook to pay back the league order to Mixon and I’m happy about it,” he wrote.
No information is currently available on how much Mixon will have to pay, but his agent has already indicated that he will appeal the decision.
The Ravens and Bengals face off for their first playoff game Sunday in Cincinnati.