Jaxson Smith-Njigba's highlight-reel TD ended with a 15-yard penalty after dunking on the goalpost and NFL fans blasted the league for killing the fun
00:11 ET, 21 Oct 2025Updated 00:12 ET, 21 Oct 2025
Jaxson Smith-Njigba hangs from the goal post
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Jaxson Smith-Njigba was immediatelt hit with unsportsmanlike conduct following his TD dunk against the Texans(Image: ESPN)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba learned the hard way that some celebrations in the NFL will never go without punishment from the league while also earning support from the fans. The fine came after he was praised by opposing QB CJ Stroud, who called JSN the greatest player he's ever played with.
With the game clock nearing zero on Monday Night Football, Smith-Njigba caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold in double coverage in a highlight-reel grab. His decision to dunk the football over the goalpost immediately triggered a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, enforced between downs.
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The celebration saw Smith-Njigba hanging from the crossbar and dropping before flexing toward the camera, violating one of the league’s oldest and most publicized rules. Under Rule 12, Section 3 of the NFL Rulebook, players are explicitly prohibited from using goalposts or crossbars as props during celebrations.
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The Seahawks-Texas game was the second part of a doubleheader on ESPN Monday night.
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The rule classifies such behavior under "excessive celebration" and "improper use of equipment," which fall within the broader category of unsportsmanlike conduct. According to the rulebook, unsportsmanlike conduct can include taunting, physical misconduct, disrespectful gestures, verbal abuse of officials, or any act deemed contrary to the spirit of the game.
Fines range from $5,000 to over $20,000 depending on severity or history.
Smith-Njigba's dunk celebration immediately went viral on social media, but most fans said the same thing: that the NFL stands for "No Fun League" for its harsh rules.
The Seahawks receiver has now been flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct in his young career. His previous fine came in December 2023, when he was docked $11,473 for an incident against San Francisco.
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The NFL first implemented its anti-dunk policy after multiple goalposts were damaged during games in the early 2010s.
The most famous instance came in 2014 when then-Saints tight end Jimmy Graham bent a crossbar during a touchdown celebration, causing a delay while stadium staff worked to straighten it. The rule hasn't stopped players from testing boundaries.
In 2020, Travis Kelce was fined $12,000 after dunking on the goalpost during a game against the New York Jets. Kelce has accumulated over $130,000 in unsportsmanlike fines throughout his career, including three for excessive celebrations.
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NFL fans have also critsized the NFL for occasionally paying homage to iconic goalpost dunks in its own highlight packages, just to turn around and later remains firm in the rule enforcement.
Smith-Njigba leads the NFL in receving yardage with 693 yards and is ninth in receptions with 432. Stat forecasts project the Seahawks star to become the first receiver in NFL history to catch for 2,000 yards.
The wide receiver has gone over the 100 yard mark in four of the team's six games and had 60 yards after halftime following his goal post slam dunk.