John Franklin-Myers was fined only $12,537 for kneeing Derrick Henry in the stomach

In Week 4, the NFL imposed fines on various players, including Titans' defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, who received a fine of $12,537 for striking, kicking, or kneeing Derrick Henry in the stomach during a game against the Ravens. The incident occurred in the second quarter, during a play that led to a three-yard touchdown pass from Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson to tight end Mark Andrews. An investigation of the video, however, reveals a more sinister tale.

The source material indicates that Titans' running back Derrick Henry inadvertently cut-blocked Franklin-Myers. In the ensuing play, after the ball was caught in the end zone and Henry was on all fours and not looking, Franklin-Myers took a step back and then forcefully rammed his knee into Henry's midsection. This gratuitous move, which could have led to an ejection, went unnoticed by officials who did not throw a penalty flag.

The fine for Franklin-Myers' action is notably less than the fines imposed on other players for similar infractions. Heinous celebrations, such as Deshaun Watson's and Quinshon Judkins' smoking a joint, resulted in a $25,000 fine each. Similarly, LaJohntay Wester of the Ravens, who displayed an unauthorized logo on his gloves, received a fine of $23,882.

These figures underscore the discrepancy in the league's fines, leaving one to question the rationale behind the seemingly lenient punishment for Franklin-Myers' intentional act against an unsuspecting opponent.