The NFL isn’t even halfway through its regular season, and the players have already lost more than double what they lost last year due to suspensions and fines.
According to CPA Robert Raiola, NFL players have forked over $21,529,652.50 in suspensions and fines, compared to $10.5 million over the entire 2013 season.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington coughed up $3 million of that total after being suspended for the entire 2014 season for a repeat violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis and safety LaRon Landry were both suspended for four games after being caught using performance-enhancing drugs and have paid $2 million and $1 million, respectively.
Other notable contributors include Josh Gordon ($817,481), who was suspended for 10 games for substance abuse, Vontaze Burfict ($25,000), who was fined for dirty plays, and Colin Kaepernick ($10,000) for wearing Beats By Dre headphones on camera after a game.
In the last ten years, the closest the NFL has come to reaching $21.5 million worth of suspensions and fines was in 2012, when players lost a total $18.1 million.
Photo via Mike Dinovo/USA TODAY Sports Images
