NFL considering suspension or fine for (Saints receiver Joe) Horn (after phonecall)

Yahoo! Sports ^ | 12.15.03

[mhking]

NEW YORK (AP) -- The NFL is considering whether to discipline Saints receiver Joe Horn for making a cell phone call in the end zone after scoring a touchdown.

League spokesman Greg Aiello said Monday that he doesn't expect a decision until later in the week. Horn could be fined or suspended.

New Orleans coach Jim Haslett said he would not discipline Horn. ``The league will do that,'' Haslett said.

After catching the second of four touchdown passes in a 45-7 victory over the New York Giants, Horn was handed a phone by teammate Michael Lewis, who pulled it out from under the padding used to protect the goalpost. Horn was still wearing his helmet when he punched in numbers, put the phone to the earhole and spoke into it for a few seconds.

``Would I take it back? No, no. I knew exactly what I was doing,'' Horn said after the game. ``And I understand -- I'm quite sure that I'll be fined.''

The Saints drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for the stunt.

``The thing that bothered me more than anything is he put himself before the football team,'' Haslett said. ``To me that's selfish. He's selfish. He shouldn't do that.''

After San Francisco's Terrell Owens pulled a pen out of his sock and autographed a football after scoring a touchdown in a game, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue sent a memo to all teams warning that other such stunts would be punished.

[Howlin]

I suppose he had it on speed dial?

[BookmanTheJanitor]

he probably saw Terrell Owens get a deal with Sharpie and was aiming for a cell phone gig. The whole stunt was pretty lame and looked forced and desparate for attention. These guys don't understand that the NFL only loses fans with this kind of crap.

[gubamyster]

So who did he call?

He called Warren Sapp to ask if he could take his helmet off after scoring a TD

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Agree. I saw this live and afterward, he looked a bit sheepish on the bench. It was childish and he will learn...

[Michael.SF.]

And I thought Terrel Owens was an A-hole (and I am a 10 yr. Niners season ticket holder). This really takes the cake.

Suggested Penalty:

One game suspension, loss of pay for said game (= 1/16th of his salary).

[dalereed]

"he (Horn) doesn't think he did anything wrong."

I don't think he did anything wrong either, it sure didn't disrupt the game except for the horses ass umpire calling a penalty.

[San Jacinto]

When I first saw this guy and a teammate digging around in the padding of the goal post, a strange thought crossed my mind, "Oh, no, it's a new touchdown celebration where the player humps the goal post like a friggin' cocker spaniel!"

[Michael.SF.]

These guys don't understand that the NFL only loses fans with this kind of crap.

I would carry that a step further. They may very well know it costs the NFL fans, but they simply do not care.

They have their money and it is guaranteed, so they could care less.

[Revolting cat!]

This is truly outrageous! The government should pass legislation requiring hands-free cell phones for use by players on the football field! Heck, I don't think it would bring the country any closer to socialism requiring their use by baseball players too!

[searchandrecovery]

So who did he call?

Hello, Pete Rose? I'd like to up my bet on this game.

[WatchOutForSnakes]

Joe Horn is a moron who just can't draw enough attention to himself. He has cost the Saints penalties before with his antics in the endzone. Haslett doesn't have the guts to do anything but he should be suspended for one game and fined as much as possible, by both the Saints AND the league. He is only interested in one thing and it is Joe Horn. I wish we would trade him and fire Haslett!!

[Banjoguy]

..typical NFL hot dog...head up @$$ and all ego. I no longer follow it like I use to. Too many juiced up jack@$$e$ putting up their forefinger, (In your dreams suckuh!)

MY RANT
I couldn't believe Keyshawn Johnson. He's not a blue collar player, won't ever be a team player, (he sure sucked up the signing bonus.) Any coach who picks him up next season is asking for trouble. He gave Jon Gruden a real bad time on the sidelines. He missed a mandatory team meeting; Johnson missing curfew twice on the night before games; and missing the team plane coming back from the team's loss in San Francisco, without offering an explanation. His defiance of Gruden and attitude among the players was poisonous.

All of these egoistic, self centered, morons need to be shown the door.

[raptor29]

Agreed. The NFL, like the NBA, has embraced and allowed this stuff for years, and now, like the NBA, is paying the price. Best they get things back under control.

[Hot Tabasco]

Just another reason why I no longer find pro sports appealing...........

[Revolting cat!]

Realistically, with 60 minute football games taking three and a half hours or more, the players have two and a half hours during which they don't have to do anything (and practically more than that since not all players are on the field the entire 60 minutes of play) So they oughta be able to mingle with the fans, play with the cheerleaders, sign autographs, make important telephone calls to their brokers and families and behave like your average country and western performers after their shows. Let's have some heart!

[Drango]

Oh, no, it's a new touchdown celebration where the player humps the goal post like a friggin' cocker spaniel!"

LOL

[nickcarraway]

I thought the league overracted when Terrell Owens, took a pen out of his pocket, but making a cell phone call is going overboard. This is a football game, keep your head in the game, Joe.

[Recovering_Democrat]

I saw that, and it was one instance where I agreed wholeheartedly with the refs, the announcers, the Head coach and the League. Horn was behaving in the most unsportsmanlike of ways. If I were a coach, I'd bench him for a game.

[al baby]

Who said if you make a touch down Act like you have been there before ?

[honeygrl]

"I don't think he did anything wrong either, it sure didn't disrupt the game except for the horses ass umpire calling a penalty."

I don't get why it's a big deal if it didn't effect the game itself.