FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Now, that’s one costly snowball.
New York Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis was fined $10,000 by the NFL for throwing snow at fans following the team’s loss at Seattle on Sunday.
Several fans threw snowballs at New York players and staff as they walked off the field after the Seahawks’ 13-3 victory. As he approached the walkway leading to the locker room, Ellis reached into a pile of snow, picked up a large chunk and tossed it into the stands at Qwest Field, appearing to hit at least a few fans. No one was believed to have been injured.
Ellis said Tuesday that he wasn’t angry at the time, and there was no malicious intent on his part.
“It was all in fun,” he said.
Video of the incident originated on YouTube after a fan captured it on film and posted it on the site. As of early Tuesday afternoon, the 53-second clip had been viewed nearly 340,000 times. Several other Web sites have also posted links to the video.
“It was kind of like a little battlefield out there, so to speak,” Ellis said. “I mean, it was just all in fun, going to the locker room.”
According to an NFL spokesman, players are notified before each season that any contact with fans that potentially presents crowd-control issues and risk of injury is prohibited. Players are also informed that they must not confront fans during games and must leave any issues to security personnel.
Coach Eric Mangini thought his team was put in a dangerous predicament as it walked off the field, saying several people were pelted with snowballs.
“That situation in the stadium in general was not a very safe situation for anybody involved,” Mangini said. “That doesn’t justify us getting involved in it on the flip side of that. He understands that. We thought that there could’ve been more done to prevent what was happening in terms of the safety from snowballs coming down.”
Mangini seemed to indicate the Jets could file a formal complaint to the league regarding the behavior of Seattle’s fans.
“I wouldn’t want that to happen at our stadium,” he said. “I’m sure Seattle didn’t want that, either. It’s just something that hopefully can be avoided whether it’s us, Seattle, whoever in the future. You just don’t want someone to get struck and hurt in that environment.”
Mangini said Ellis wouldn’t face additional discipline from the Jets, and the defensive captain would play Sunday in the regular-season finale at home against Miami.
It’s the latest troublesome incident involving Ellis, who was arrested for speeding and marijuana possession last month and could face a suspension next season under the league’s substance-abuse policy. The league is still reviewing that incident.
“I’m just continuing to go out and just play football,” Ellis said. “In the end, we’re all human.”
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Comments » 19
bcbobcat82 writes:
All of Fulmer's poor coaching is really showing on this guy now. Good Grief Shaun!! KIFFIN IS MY HERO!
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
I don't have a problem with him throwing snow. The marijuana charge, now that has Fulmer Cup written all over it.
Vol_in_Mich writes:
All's fair in snowball fights.
Go VOLS!!!
Ironcity writes:
I am glad am not held accountable for the activities of my past associations like so many of you want to hold Fulmer accountable for his. I would hate to be blamed for others transgressions just because I once was either their boss, teacher or I knew them in college.
rockytopron writes:
YOU ARE AN IDIOT, AN ABSOLUTE DUMB***.
Ellis's troubles started after leaving Tennessee and the guidance of Coach Fulmer.
rockytopron writes:
ARE YOU REALLY THIS DUMB?
Many former Vols have gone astray, but only after leaving Tennessee and Coach Fulmer.
Kiffin_fan writes:
You beat me to that one...
Vol_in_Mich writes:
I would rather him be stoned & throw snow than be snowed & throw stones! ;<)
Go VOLS!!!
SemperVol writes:
Just watched the clip on youtube and about laughed my arse off. It was more like a snow boulder....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzYBHl...
pms151 writes:
KNS is teeing off on CFP today. What's up? Can't get a real scoop anymore? And for you idiots building this phooey into a fire storm...WHY?
orangebloodgmc writes:
NFL ... for a long time they have called it the "No Fun League."
crappieking writes:
I thought it was great! Way to go Shaun! $10,000.00 to him is like $10.00 to most of us working stiffs. Stupid NFL and all their crazy uncalled for fines. We can't even watch great plays anymore. I guess the SD player that knocked Garcia's arse off yesterday is going to get fined for that clean hit too. GO VOLS!!!
orangebloodgmc writes:
Well, if you typed it twice, the second time it did!
gobigorange8464 writes:
10,000 clams for a snowball. With that kind of money you would think he actually "snowballed" the fans. Ridiculous!!
Orange4life writes:
The sky is falling--Fulmer's fault
Polar Ice caps are melting--Fulmer's fault
Paris Hilton is a skank--Fulmer's fault
blah blah blah You guys are idiot's bringing his name up every single time. Give it a rest will ya?
The man has been through enough, time to move on
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Scapegoats were put away with the Cross of Christ. Forgiveness and thankfulness are the norms in the kingdom of heaven, and we all ought to be there in our conversations and in our thoughts ! We all sin, by then here come the rocks from our friends and buddies. This is a great topic for conversation. Remember Socrates drank the hemlock, and all he did was ask questions in Athens, and the Athenians had to blame someone for losing to the Spartans, and Socrates was their guy. Bush, Fulmer, etc, are scapegoats in a lot of ways. this i s missing the mark. There are other ways to describe performance. Have a merry Christmas. Just go out and throw a few snowballs at your enemies, and see what happens.
dvols writes:
I was going to say something witty and fun but after reading the posts ...i have no comment.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Probably way too cold to moon them.
TennesseeTuxedo writes:
At least he did not hit a girl with a beer mug, upside her head, this time.
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