Tweet
Dec. 13, 2004
SportsLine.com wire reports
DENVER -- Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer probably lost more than just his cool when he made an obscene gesture toward the stands.
Advertisement
The NFL is reviewing Plummer's actions under its long-standing policy that prohibits public displays of profanity, a review that will likely lead to a fine.
Plummer didn't do himself many favors in a city that is already a little fed up with his performance this season.
Plummer was not available for comment Monday, the day after a shaky 20-17 victory over lowly Miami that kept the Broncos (8-5) tied with Baltimore for the AFC's final wild-card spot.
Plummer threw two interceptions. After the first, he made an obscene gesture toward the stands, which was caught by TV cameras carrying the game on CBS.
He apologized Sunday, saying "One guy got into my head a little bit. It shouldn't be that way."
Jake Plummer has thrown six interceptions over the past two games. (AP)
On Monday, his coach and teammates chimed in.
"I think Jake understands that this game is very tough on the quarterback," coach Mike Shanahan said. "You work your way through it. If you're mentally tough enough, you survive. If not, you acquiesce and you're gone."
Plummer, who has thrown six interceptions without a touchdown in the last two games, has been involved in several non-football issues this season.
Several weeks ago, he insisted on wearing a sticker to honor former teammate Pat Tillman, who quit football to join the Army and was later killed in Afghanistan. Plummer won that PR battle, getting the NFL and the Broncos to agree to airing public-service announcements honoring Tillman and putting his No. 40 near the play clock at Mile High.
Last week, Plummer came under withering criticism from former teammate Shannon Sharpe, who said Plummer would never be more than an average quarterback despite Shanahan's attempts to help him get better.
Plummer downplayed those comments, saying he never heard them. On Sunday, though, he had trouble ignoring the criticism from the stands.
"It surprised me so much," defensive lineman Trevor Pryce said. "I thought, 'Oh my God, you?' I'd expect something like that from me, not from him. But Jake, he's such a fiery guy."
His obscene gesture was front-page material in Denver and was played over and over on national highlight shows.
League spokesman Greg Aiello said the NFL's stance on profanity has not changed and the case would be reviewed under the league's long-standing policy that prohibits public displays of profanity.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2004, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
SportsLine.com wire reports
DENVER -- Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer probably lost more than just his cool when he made an obscene gesture toward the stands.
Advertisement
The NFL is reviewing Plummer's actions under its long-standing policy that prohibits public displays of profanity, a review that will likely lead to a fine.
Plummer didn't do himself many favors in a city that is already a little fed up with his performance this season.
Plummer was not available for comment Monday, the day after a shaky 20-17 victory over lowly Miami that kept the Broncos (8-5) tied with Baltimore for the AFC's final wild-card spot.
Plummer threw two interceptions. After the first, he made an obscene gesture toward the stands, which was caught by TV cameras carrying the game on CBS.
He apologized Sunday, saying "One guy got into my head a little bit. It shouldn't be that way."
Jake Plummer has thrown six interceptions over the past two games. (AP)
On Monday, his coach and teammates chimed in.
"I think Jake understands that this game is very tough on the quarterback," coach Mike Shanahan said. "You work your way through it. If you're mentally tough enough, you survive. If not, you acquiesce and you're gone."
Plummer, who has thrown six interceptions without a touchdown in the last two games, has been involved in several non-football issues this season.
Several weeks ago, he insisted on wearing a sticker to honor former teammate Pat Tillman, who quit football to join the Army and was later killed in Afghanistan. Plummer won that PR battle, getting the NFL and the Broncos to agree to airing public-service announcements honoring Tillman and putting his No. 40 near the play clock at Mile High.
Last week, Plummer came under withering criticism from former teammate Shannon Sharpe, who said Plummer would never be more than an average quarterback despite Shanahan's attempts to help him get better.
Plummer downplayed those comments, saying he never heard them. On Sunday, though, he had trouble ignoring the criticism from the stands.
"It surprised me so much," defensive lineman Trevor Pryce said. "I thought, 'Oh my God, you?' I'd expect something like that from me, not from him. But Jake, he's such a fiery guy."
His obscene gesture was front-page material in Denver and was played over and over on national highlight shows.
League spokesman Greg Aiello said the NFL's stance on profanity has not changed and the case would be reviewed under the league's long-standing policy that prohibits public displays of profanity.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2004, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
Comment