Alexander Mattison Lost the Appeal
Dustin Baker
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Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison was fined $6,503 after a touchdown celebration against the New York Jets last month.
The 24-year-old fired up a little twerk to commemorate a touchdown, and the NFL wasn’t a fan. The Vikings grounded the New York Jets in Week 13, 27-22, and the league’s front office decided this jig was too egregious:
Mattison appealed the fine but was evidently unsuccessful, telling Chris Tomasson from the Pioneer Press this week, “It was just straight taken out of my check.”
Alexander Mattison Lost the Appeal
Mattison performed the “suggestive” dance in fun, and it seemed he had gotten away with it, as the celebration clip was shared worldwide, even by NFL media. But no cigar, as the league waited a few days and then levied the fine.
The Vikings only allowed Mattison to touch the ball five times that afternoon versus New York, resulting in 18 yards from scrimmage and the touchdown. But the score was of the utmost importance, shoving the lead to 17-3 at a time when it felt like Minnesota would alas win a game handily. Of course, they did no such thing, allowing the Jets back into the game after a 20-3 advantage but later hung on to win by five.
Predictably, Mattison was unimpressed with the fine, tweeting a few days after the game, “They share it like crazy.. then fine you like crazy ?? smh.”
He also questioned the random amount, “And I just wanna know who sits there and comes up with these random number amounts for fines ?.”
The fine was the first of Mattison’s career. Teammate Dalvin Cook was fined in October for throwing a football in the crowd during a game at the Miami Dolphins. So, that’s two fun-loving Vikings running backs who were dinged in 2022 for harmless celebrations.
Mattison is earning $965,000 in 2022, the final year of his rookie contract with the Vikings. The fine of $6,503 is the equivalent of a person making $40,000 per year — paying a $270 ticket.
He tabulated 89 touches this season for 374 yards from scrimmage, 6 touchdowns, and 3.8 yards per carry while playing in every game. His teammate, Cook, also stayed upright and healthy for the first time in his career, playing all 17 games.
Mattison and the Vikings host the New York Giants Sunday in the team’s first playoff game since 2019. In Chicago last weekend, Mattison scored two touchdowns but kept the post-touchdown afterparty fairly tame.
The Boise State alumnus becomes a free agent in March and may latch onto a different team as an RB1-type. Mattison has played 59 games as a member of the Vikings, more than notable players like Percy Harvin, Jack Del Rio, Joe Senser, etc.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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