Johnny Manziel fined for gesture
[url TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/cle/cleveland-browns" ]Browns[/url] backup quarterback [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/16736/johnny-manziel" ]Johnny Manziel[/url] was fined $12,000 for making an obscene gesture at [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/wsh/washington-redskins" ]Washington[/url]'s bench in a preseason game earlier this week, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.[br /][br /]Manziel [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11373673/johnny-manziel-cleveland-browns-extends-middle-finger-washington-redskins" ]extended his middle finger[/url] after a third-quarter incompletion in front of Washington's bench during Cleveland's 24-23 loss Monday night.[br /][br /]Manziel said at the time that he had "words exchanged" with the Redskins and that he should have been smarter.[br /][br /]"I felt like I did a good job of holding my composure throughout the night, and you have a lapse of judgment and slip up," said Manziel, who was competing with [url TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/12477/brian-hoyer" ]Brian Hoyer[/url] to be Cleveland's starting quarterback. Hoyer was named the starter on Wednesday.[br /][br /]Erik Burkhardt, who represents Manziel, told ESPN's Ed Werder that he hasn't decided whether to appeal the fine.[br /][br /]"We haven't made that determination or even discussed that yet. [Manziel's] only focus right now is on the game Saturday night," Burkhardt said.[br /][br /]Browns coach Mike Pettine expressed his displeasure with Manziel's act after Monday's game.[br /][br /]"It did not sit well," he said. "I was informed of it after the game and it's disappointing. Because what we talk about is being poised and being focused -- that you have to be able to maintain your poise."[br /][br /]The NFL has fined others for making the gesture, including then-Titans owner Bud Adams ($250,000) while celebrating a 2009 blowout win over Buffalo, and Jets coach Rex Ryan ($50,000) for gesturing to Dolphins fans at a 2010 mixed martial arts event in Florida.[br /][br /]ESPN.com's Pat McManamon contributed to this report.[/i][br/][br/][sectionHeader]Related Video[/sectionHeader][promoExternal HREF="http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11394005&ex_cid=espnapi_affiliate" IMAGE="http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2014/0822/dm_140822_nfl_manziel_fined_12k/dm_140822_nfl_manziel_fined_12k.jpg" TITLE="Manziel Docked $12K For Gesture" DESCRIPTION="Ed Werder talks about the NFL fining Cleveland QB Johnny Manziel $12,000 for an obscene gesture at Washington's bench in a preseason game." ][br /][promoExternal HREF="http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11374714&ex_cid=espnapi_affiliate" IMAGE="http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2014/0819/dm_140819_nfl_manziel_gesture/dm_140819_nfl_manziel_gesture.jpg" TITLE="Herm: Manziel's Gesture A Problem" DESCRIPTION="Herm Edwards discusses what he would tell Johnny Manziel after Manziel's obscene gesture toward the Redskins' bench during a preseason game." ][br /][promoExternal HREF="http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11384141&ex_cid=espnapi_affiliate" IMAGE="http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2014/0820/dm_140820_SportsNation/dm_140820_SportsNation.jpg" TITLE="Pettine Decision About Manziel's Play or Attitude?" DESCRIPTION="Eric Dickerson joins SportsNation to discuss if Mike Pettine's decision not to start Johnny Manziel is more about his attitude or his play." ][br /][promoExternal HREF="http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11384113&ex_cid=espnapi_affiliate" IMAGE="http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2014/0820/dm_140820_nfl_nation_Browns_Hoyer_starts/dm_140820_nfl_nation_Browns_Hoyer_starts.jpg" TITLE="Hoyer To Start, Manziel To Study" DESCRIPTION="Jim Trotter discusses how the Browns have handled the decision-making process in naming Brian Hoyer as their starting quarterback." ][br /]
