Seahawks safety Coby Bryant made a standout play during Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, intercepting a Kyler Murray pass and returning it 69 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. He celebrated the score with a gesture famously made by Marshawn Lynch during the “Legion of Boom” era, mimicking a move involving grabbing beneath the line of scrimmage as he entered the end zone.
However, Bryant could face consequences for the celebration, as the NFL might fine him. Last week, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was fined $19,697 for performing the same gesture. Bryant admitted that the celebration wasn’t spontaneous, sharing that he had discussed it with his dad and brother before the game. He said, “Once I get a pick-six, I’m doing (the Marshawn) just because we were playing the Cardinals.”
Lynch originally performed the gesture during his iconic “Beast Quake” touchdown against the Saints in 2011, and again against the Cardinals in 2014, when it resulted in an $11,050 fine. Lynch was fined multiple times for this celebration, including a $20,000 fine in the 2015 NFC Championship game. The NFL had even warned the Seahawks that another similar gesture during the Super Bowl would result in a 15-yard penalty.
Other players, like Aaron Jones in 2022, have also been penalized for mimicking Lynch’s celebration. Bryant seems to accept the likely fine, saying, “I know they’re going to fine me. So hopefully, Marshawn, if you see this you can show some love for me.” Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith also expressed his support, urging the NFL, “Please don’t fine him.”