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Published Date
By TERESA M. WALKER
AP Sports Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The NFL fined Tennessee Titans defensive
coordinator Chuck Cecil $40,000 Monday for his obscene gesture at
game officials.
The league said Cecil violated a rule that prohibits use of
abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures to game
officials.
Television cameras caught Cecil using his right hand to make the
gesture when officials flagged his defense for a neutral zone
infraction during the second quarter Sunday. The penalty gave
Denver first-and-goal, and Kyle Orton threw a 2-yard touchdown pass
on the next play for a 7-0 lead.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher confirmed the fine in his Monday news
conference. He called the league's punishment swift and
appropriate.
Video of Cecil's gesture was on YouTube by halftime.
Cecil issued this statement Monday evening:
"I want to apologize to the NFL, organization, fans and my
family for my gesture yesterday. It was inappropriate, and there is
no excuse for that type of behavior under any circumstance."
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-10-04-10 1952EDT
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTSDdw8uEyE[/youtube]
