Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel likely faces a fine after giving the middle finger to the Washington Redskins during Monday's preseason game. Cameras caught Manziel making the obscene gesture seemingly in response to Washington's bench taunting him.
Manziel didn't make a strong case to be named starter for Week 1, and his lone touchdown pass of the night was overshadowed with him giving the finger a few plays earlier to the Redskins' bench.
The obscene gesture came in the third quarter after Manziel threw an incomplete pass that landed near the Washington bench. Words appeared to be exchanged, and while jogging away Manziel made the gesture during the nationally televised game.
"It did not sit well," said Browns coach Mike Pettine after the game, via ESPN. "I was informed of it after the game and it's disappointing. Because what we talk about is being poised and being focused - that you have to be able to maintain your poise. ...
"That's a big part of all football players, especially the quarterback, that we have to keep our composure. So that's something that we'll obviously address with him."
Manziel, whom the league will likely fine $11,025, said it was a slip.
"I felt like I did a good job of holding my composure throughout the night, and you have a lapse of judgment and slip up," he said.
Washington appeared to be ribbing Manziel throughout the game. Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo sacked Manziel and subsequently mocked him by doing the quarterback's signature "money" sign.
After the game, Orakpo admitted they were trying to get under the skin of the 2012 Heisman winner.
"It was hilarious," Orakpo said of Manziel's gesture. "We were messing with him a little bit, just saying this ain't college and stuff like that. We were having a little fun. Manziel flipped us off. It was something funny. We were all laughing on the sidelines."
If fined, Manziel can appeal it and have it reduced to around $6,200.
Washington won, 24-23. Manziel finished 7-of-16 for 65 yards and one touchdown.
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