Ravens WR Rashod Bateman fined $25K for 'verbal abuse of an official' (aka cursing at him once)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman was fined $25,154 on Saturday for the violation of "verbal abuse of an official."
The play in question occurred in the second quarter of the Ravens' 28-6 win over the Miami Dolphins last week. Bateman believed he had been held by a Miami defensive back on the play, leading him to aim a short burst of profanity at the nearby official.
Bateman was flagged on the play for unsportsmanlike conduct, but the NFL added an additional punishment six days later.
#Ravens WR Rashod Bateman was fined $25,154 for verbal abuse of an official in last week's game against the dolphins per @jeffzrebiec
- SleeperRavens (@SleeperRavenss) November 8, 2025
Bateman felt like he was held on this play and let the sideline judge hear it pic.twitter.com/TjuLRcSB1N
The NFL fined Ravens WR Rashod Bateman $25,154 for unsportsmanlike conduct - verbal abuse of an official last week. Bateman was also flagged.
- Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 8, 2025
pic.twitter.com/PJhydVEKdc
Bateman was one of 26 players to receive a fine this week. Among his peers were Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Elijah Moore, who were each docked a five-figure amount for a "violent gesture."
Here is that violent gesture.
Bills QB Josh Allen and WR Elijah Moore were each fined for this celebration after Allen's touchdown vs. the Chiefs. Allen was fined $14,491 and Moore was fined $13,888 for unsportsmanlike conduct (violent gesture) pic.twitter.com/rAYJqfwbyF
- Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) November 8, 2025
And, of course, there was Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle, who got docked $14,471 for the full Hingle McCringleberry. On the bright side, that did get him a meet-and-greet with "Key and Peele" actor Keegan Michael Key, the originator of the unacceptable gesture.
Rico Dowdle scores his second TD of the day!
- FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 2, 2025
:FOX pic.twitter.com/itkv81R0md
All of this is to say the NFL remains proficient when it comes to forcing charitable contributions from its players. Tune in next week for whatever the league dredges up in the new slate of games.