Riq Woolen’s ill-timed taunting penalty in the third quarter of last Sunday’s NFC championship game didn’t cost the Seattle Seahawks a victory over the Los Angeles Rams. But it will cost him $17,389, the NFL announced Saturday.
Woolen drew an unsportsmanlike conduct call late in the third quarter after the Seahawks’ defense apparently stopped the Rams on fourth-and-12, breaking up a pass intended for Puka Nacua. After making the play, Woolen skipped down the sideline, stepping over the white boundary to say something to Rams players.
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What he said wasn’t apparent, but it was enough for officials to flag him for taunting. Woolen was the only player from last Sunday’s NFC championship to be fined. (Neither the New England Patriots nor Denver Broncos were fined from the AFC championship, either.)
Getting a first down with the penalty, the Rams followed up with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Nacua. Making matters worse, the Seahawks defensive player who blew the coverage down the left sideline was Woolen.
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Suddenly, a 31-20 Seattle lead was cut to 31-27 with the entire fourth quarter still to be played.
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Woolen’s teammates weren’t happy with his costly mistake, either. The Fox telecast caught several Seahawks players — including Coby Bryant, Leonard Williams and Nick Emmanwori — confronting the fourth-year cornerback over his penalty.
Though the flag led to an eventual touchdown, Woolen’s penalty did not result in the Seahawks losing the game. Seattle held on to win, 31-27, to win the NFC championship and earn a spot in next Sunday’s Super Bowl LX.
Hours later, Woolen tried to explain the penalty, saying “When you in the zone and ballin’ with your bros sometimes you black out.”
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He’ll get at least one more game with his teammates, facing the Patriots in the Super Bowl. (Woolen will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.) However, his bank account will be lighter as he and the Seahawks travel to San Francisco for the big game.
