Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been fined $24,309 for taunting Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes Monday night, according to ESPN. It marks the third time in the Giants’ first four games of the season that Beckham has been fined for his on-field actions.
Beckham’s reckless on-field behavior has cost him a lot of money since his rookie year of 2014. He’s been fined a grand total of $150,000 since entering the league.
The play in question Monday took place in the second quarter. Beckham got up after being hit and chirped at Rhodes, prompting the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Because he is a repeat offender, he received the maximum possible fine from the league.
"I just have to understand if I sneeze the wrong way, it will be a flag," Beckham said after the game, which the Giants lost, 24-10. "It will be a fine. If I tie my shoes the wrong way, it might be a fine or a flag. It is what it is. You have to understand that. As tough as it is to understand that for a 23-year-old who has been blessed with a lot that God has given to me—an amazing amount of ability and amazing amount of everything—it seems like it's all working against you."
It was an odd take, considering most viewers would say Beckham has deserved the penalties, and the fines are a byproduct of the penalties. Beckham has drawn six unsportsmanlike conduct, taunting, or unnecessary roughness penalties in his career.
By Thursday, Beckham had changed his tune.
"I think it's gotten to a point where I just want to compete," Beckham said. "None of the extra stuff—I just want to compete. That never seems to be the case. You just keep smiling. It'll be straight. It'll all work itself out. We'll start winning some games and help pick up this offense.”
He does seem genuinely remorseful, which is good news for New York fans.
"The thing that kills me is that I remember when I was a kid. I remember when I looked up to someone and watched them, emulated them," Beckham said. "What I'm doing is not something I would want a 6-year-old boy to be out there and learn from. Honestly, as funny as it sounds, that's really all I care about."
Beckham has come under fire from his coach and the media for his emotional outbursts during games. All along he has insisted he’ll continue being himself, but at this point it seems he’s realized “being himself” is costing his team every week.
There are healthier ways to channel those emotions, and Beckham will likely figure it out as he matures.
