Report: NFL fines Diontae Johnson $25,000 for criticizing officials after Jaguars game
The NFL has fined Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) receiver Diontae Johnson $25,000 for criticizing officials after the 20-10 Week 8 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2) last Sunday.
Johnson believed the officiating cost the Steelers the game, and didn’t hold back in his postgame remarks. He particularly took issue with an offside call on right guard Isaac Seumalo, which negated a 55-yard field goal make from Chris Boswell. Boswell missed the ensuing attempt, and Pittsburgh missed an opportunity to cut Jacksonville’s lead to three going into the half.
“Refs were just killing us the whole game,” Johnson said, via ESPN. “The same refs we had at training camp. I didn’t like the refs today. At the end of the day, we can’t keep complaining about the refs. Like Coach [Mike Tomlin] say, we can’t worry about the refs, whatever. But everybody’s different.
“I didn’t like the refs today. They must’ve got paid good today or something, but they blew — that field goal, that hurt us coming into the half. We needed that.”
Johnson later sounded off on the inconsistencies with roughing the passer calls during the game.
“They was calling some stupid stuff,” Johnson said. “They should get fined for calling bad, making worse, terrible calls and stuff like that. That’s how pissed I am. They cost us the game. I don’t care what nobody say. They cost us the game.”
He continued: “[The officials] wanted [the Jaguars] to win, bro. They was calling, everything was in their favor. They was getting every little call, but it is what it is. But we can’t, like I said, I’m moving on from it. I’m ready for Thursday.”
Diontae Johnson producing at high level since return from injury
Johnson, who missed four games this season with a hamstring injury, has reclaimed his place as the Steelers WR1 since returning to the lineup. In three games since his return, he’s hauled in 20 receptions for 254 yards and a touchdown.
Johnson found the end zone for the first time in 668 days in the 20-16 Week 9 win over the Tennessee Titans (3-5) Thursday.
“Oh yeah, I mean [668] days since I’ve scored, I’m happy I was able to get in the end zone today,” Johnson said after the game. “I seen it on Twitter today, and I was like, ‘Really, it’s been that long?’ But it’s like I’m saying, I’m happy that I got in the end zone, and looking forward to getting in the end zone next week.”