NEW YORK — The NFL is cracking down on players making “finger gun” gestures, enforcing fines for what the league describes as “violent gestures” during games. Five players were fined in Week 4 of the 2024 season, bringing the total number of fines for such gestures to nine so far this year.
When asked about Lazard’s situation specifically, an NFL spokesperson declined to comment on any individual player. The spokesperson emphasized, “That’s been a longstanding rule as part of the reference to any violent gesture. It’s also part of the players’ manual.”
The recent focus on finger guns has sparked reactions online, as some fans and analysts view it as an excessive interpretation of the rule, while others support the league’s efforts to curb potentially suggestive actions on the field. The policy’s renewed enforcement coincides with the NFL’s recent hiring of musician Machine Gun Kelly to contribute to entertainment efforts—a move some have called ironic given his stage name.
As the league continues to address player conduct in a season already marked by heightened scrutiny, the NFL remains firm on maintaining what it views as appropriate behavior standards, on and off the field.
