Patriots Rank Among The ‘Rowdiest’ NFL Teams
Even when following the rules, football remains a physically demanding contact sport. It occasionally leads to intense confrontations resulting in not just physical injuries like fractures and cuts but also potential neurological consequences such as CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). CTE is associated with memory loss and dementia. It’s worth noting that CTE can only be definitively diagnosed posthumously through autopsy, leaving many players to grapple with its symptoms unchecked during their lifetimes. According to the Chicago Tribune, a study found signs of CTE in 110 out of 111 deceased former NFL players’ brains.
On the field, players face each other, jerseys occasionally marked with blood, poised for physical engagements. The NFL has implemented rules aimed at “protect players from unnecessary risk, promote player safety and emphasize sportsmanship.”
To assess the rowdiest NFL teams, 24/7 Tempo analyzed recorded incidents and total fines, as reported in a study by Gambling.com, a gambling news and reviews site. The fines were calculated using Spotrac’s database of NFL fines and suspensions, with teams ranked based on the amounts paid.
New England Patriots rank as one of the rowdiest NFL teams.
The New England Patriots secured the 13th spot on the list, with only six recorded incidents and a total of $50,682 in fines over the past decade.
One of those incidents was a fight that occurred in the final seconds of Super Bowl XLIX in 2015. A fight broke out between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. According to Sports Illustrated, this occurred after a late interception by Russell Wilson in the Patriots’ end zone. Following a penalty on the Seahawks, the Patriots moved up to their 6-yard line, and as quarterback Tom Brady took a knee, the altercation erupted.
At the top of the list is the Pittsburgh Steelers, involved in 21 incidents over the past decade, according to the report. During the same period, the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders had only ten incidents but incurred the highest fines, totaling almost $180,000.
Additionally, within the top five teams are the Buffalo Bills and the New York Giants. The Bills have a total of five recorded incidents, with fines totaling over $89,000. Meanwhile, the Giants have seven recorded incidents, resulting in fines of over $83,200.
