Shaun Ellis Fined $10k for Launching a Huge 'Snowball' at Fans in Seattle

It is implicitly understood that professional athletes are not to have any sort of violent interaction with fans during games. Shaun Ellis clearly violated that rule -- I'm pretty sure it's an official one -- when he launched a monster chunk of snow into a group of Seahawks fans (VIDEO) after they pelted him with snowballs on Sunday.

And now Ellis, predictably, is paying the price, according to Adam Schefter on the NFL Network (via PFT).

The decision of Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis to hoist a large snowball/snow clump into the stands at Qwest Field on Sunday has resulted in the NFL throwing right back at him a $10,000 fine.

[...]Schefter reports that players are told before the start of each season that any contact with fans is prohibited, where such contact presents crowd-control issues and/or the risk of injury.

It's not surprising at all -- you just can't attack fans and expect not to a) get caught on camera and b) get fined. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised that it's "only" 10 grand, considering the way that Roger Goodell likes to lay down the law against violators of his policies.

Laugh if you want, but seriously, what Ellis did was potentially damaging to a fan's health, and you better believe that if someone had gotten hurt and the league got sued, $10,000 would be considered "getting off light."

Life in the No Fun League'

Jets star Shaun Ellis is fined $10,000 by the NFL after chucking a large block of snow into the Seattle stands in Week 16, in retaliation for the Seahawks fans pelting New York's players with snowballs. Click through to see more questionable NFL fines over the years.

Joe Robbins, Getty Images

Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson is fined $10,000 for his touchdown celebration against the Seahawks in Week 14. Watson used the football to pantomime pregnancy as a shout-out to his expectant wife and the couple's yet-to-be born daughter. Click through to see more questionable NFL fines over the years. Culprit: Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots
What He Did: Stuffed the ball up his jersey as a tribute to his expectant wife and the couple's yet-to-be-born daughter
NFL Fined Him: $10,000

Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

Culprit: Brandon Jones, Tennessee Titans
What He Did: Simulated an arrest during a touchdown celebration against the Jaguars
NFL Fined Him: $15,000

Doug Benc, Getty Images

Culprit: Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh Steelers
What He Did: Wore eye black with the No. 21 to honor his late Redskins teammate, Sean Taylor
NFL Fined Him: $5,000

Gene J. Puskar, AP

Culprit: Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
What He Did: Played the bongo drums on the sideline after a 66-yard TD run
NFL Fined Him: $10,000

Jamie Squire, Getty Images

Culprit: Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins
What He Did: Performed a choreographed "Cupid Shuffle" dance with teammates
NFL Fined Them: $10,000 each

Doug Benc, Getty Images

Culprit: Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
What He Did: Mocked the Patriots' Spygate scandal by using the football to simulate a camera
NFL Fined Him: $7,500

Eliot J. Schechter, Getty Images

Culprit: Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
What He Did: Went through warm-ups before a game with an "Ocho Cinco" label on his jersey
NFL Fined Him: $5,000

Al Behrman, AP

Culprit: DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles
What He Did: Posed with teammate Quintin Demps after a 68-yard punt return TD
NFL Fined Them: $10,000 each

Tom Mihalek, AP

Culprit: Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints
What He Did: Taunted Bears defenders before somersaulting in for an 88-yard TD reception
NFL Fined Him: $5,000

Getty Images (2)