No fine for Texans' Johnson for taunting Green

Travis Johnson's taunting of Trent Green after Green sustained a serious concussion trying to block him earned the Houston Texans defensive tackle a 15-yard penalty and the ire of critics. But it won't result in a fine by the NFL.

Johnson

Johnson was criticized by members of the Dolphins and in the media for the taunting penalty, in which he stood over the motionless Green and pointed, and for his post-game comments, in which he lambasted Green for what he perceived to be a cheap shot.

But the NFL said Johnson was reacting to what he thought was a dirty play and would not face additional discipline.

"Gene Washington [the NFL's director of football operations] determined that Johnson's taunting penalty did not warrant a fine," league spokesman Greg Aiello explained, according to the Houston Chronicle. "The player was upset about what he thought was an illegal block. Gene did not believe he deserved to be fined."

"Not every taunting penalty draws a fine. The block, in fact, was legal," Aiello said, according to the Chronicle. "Should the taunting penalty have been called? Yes. Standing over a player on the ground and pointing at him is by rule taunting. The penalty was properly called."

Dolphins coach Cam Cameron spoke in general terms about the league's decision, according to the Miami Herald.

"'Sometimes in the heat of the moment, all of us do things we probably wish we wouldn't do or say," Cameron said, according to the Herald. "Let's say it like it is: You live and you learn."

With the Dolphins attempting an end-around, Green threw a low block on Johnson, sending Johnson -- who outweighs Green by about 100 pounds -- sprawling. But Green's head hit Johnson's knee and he crumpled to the ground with a grade-three concussion, his second serious concussion in 13 months.

Green was able to fly back to Miami on the team plane, but will miss Sunday's game at Cleveland at the least.

After his 2006 concussion, Green considered retirement, but said neurosurgeons and neurophysiologists told him he faced no increased risk of Alzheimer's or dementia if he came back.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Source: ESPN.com