NFL wants Eagles DT Milton Williams to pay up $14,069 for Unsportsmanlike conduct in Super Bowl LIX

Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams has to pay a 14k fine for accidentally touching the goal post while dunking in the Super Bowl.

NFL wants Eagles DT Milton Williams to pay up $14,069 for Unsportsmanlike conduct in Super Bowl LIX

Eagles DT Milton Williams fined for dunking (Image via IMAGO/X)

When Milton Williams held the front page of the local newspaper on the podium after winning the Super Bowl in New Orleans, the thought of paying a fine might have never crossed his mind. Yet, the NFL discovered an action from the Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle on February 9 that warranted a monetary penalty.

Williams’ game was, for the most part, spotless. He recorded 2 sacks and forced one fumble. However, the NFL committee discovered an action by him, right after sacking Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, that did not honor the rule book.

YouTube video

In the fourth quarter, when the Eagles led 4-37, Eagles second-year pass rusher Jalen Carter landed a hit on Mahomes’ facemask, making him fall on the ground. The ball came loose from his hands. Williams jumped on the ball and recovered the possession for the Eagles.

He took the ball and dunked it over the goalpost to celebrate the sack and fumble. The league deemed the dunk to be a punishable offense. Milton Williams will have to pay 14,069 as punishment.

Why does Milton Williams have to pay a fine for dunking the ball?

The NFL loves to reignite the term ‘No Fun League’ occasionally. This is one such occasion when a routine and fun celebration is counted as an illegal or unsportsmanlike action.

NFL wants Eagles DT Milton Williams to pay up $14,069 for shocking Unsportsmanlike conduct in Super Bowl LIX
Milton Williams holds the front page of Times after winning Super Bowl LIX (Image via SI)

According to former NFL head of officiating Dean Blandino, the NFL can’t fine the players for dunking but if any part of the body touches the goal post during the dunk, they will be charged. Williams’ hands touched the top of the post before he landed back on the ground.

In January, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was fined $14k for repeating the same mistake. Luckily for Kelce, his good friend and legendary tight end Antonio Gonzalez agreed to pay on his behalf.

Williams has been a stalwart for the Eagles ever since Fletcher Cox retired in 2023. He made the DT spot his own, forming a formidable partnership with Carter, Mekhi Becton, and Zack Baun.

The 25-year-old’s contract is set to run out soon but he wants to continue with the Eagles.

Obviously, I’d love to be back in Philadelphia. But right now, I’m just trying to enjoy this moment with my teammates. The rest of that is going to take care of itself.

Milton Williams said via the Philadelphia Inquirer

In his four seasons with the Eagles, William witnessed a 4% increase in his QB pressures each year (4.1% in 2022, 8.2% in 2023, and 12.5% in 2024). If the Eagles want to retain their Super Bowl crown, keeping Williams is a no-brainer.

Related: Saquon Barkley admits Giants ‘disrespect’ fueled fire to his record-breaking season