The NFL fined five Atlanta Falcons players for uniform violations after they displayed support for their infamous former teammate during a Dec. 10 game against the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution (AJC) reported last week.
Tight end Alge Crumpler, wide receiver Roddy White and cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Chris Houston were fined $10,000. Wide receiver Joe Horn was fined $7,500.
White wore a “Free Mick Vick” T-shirt underneath his uniform, and Horn lifted up his jersey to display the message. Crumpler, Hall, and Houston showed their support of Vick by inscribing “MV7” on the black-eye strips marked on their faces. In addition, Hall brought a poster of Vick onto the field during pre-game introductions and then taped it behind the bleachers where players sit.
The game took place the same day Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison on federal dogfighting charges.
Crumpler, Houston, White, and Horn have appealed their fines.
“We are going to see if we can get it reduced,” White told the AJC. “I think $10,000 was a little bit much for the fine. We’ll see what we can do about that.”