Oct 9, 2007 9:12 pm US/Eastern
NFL Will Not Discipline Travis Johnson
Taunting Actions "Did Not Warrant A Fine"
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HOUSTON, TX (CBS4/Houston Chronicle) ―
The NFL will not discipline Houston Texan defensive tackle Travis Johnson for taunting Miami quarterback Trent Green during the Texans' 22-19 victory at Reliant Stadium on Sunday. The league decided not to fine the former Florida state star.
Johnson is being criticized by fans and media around the country for the taunting penalty and for the post-game comments in which he ripped Green for going after his knees. Many of Johnson's critics are saying he should be fined at least $5,000, but Gene Washington, the NFL's director of football operations said there would be no fine after reviewing the play.
"Gene Washington determined that Johnson's taunting penalty did not warrant a fine," said Greg Aiello, the league's senior vice president of public relations. "The player was upset about what he thought was an illegal block. Gene did not believe he deserved to be fined.
"Not every taunting penalty draws a fine. The block, in fact, was legal. Should the taunting penalty have been called? Yes. Standing over a player on the ground and pointing at him is by rule taunting. The penalty was properly called."
Green suffered a grade-3 concussion when he blocked Johnson and his head hit the defensive tackle's knee.
Green's career is in jeopardy because he suffered a severe concussion last season, too. Johnson has a bruised knee and a sore neck but expects to play at Jacksonville.
(CBS4/Houston Chronicle)
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