Stefon Diggs isn’t the only NFL player being hit with a fine this week; according to ESPN, the league fined Ben Roethlisberger $5000 for a uniform violation after he sported an Apple Watch on the Steelers’ sideline on Monday night.
The injured quarterback, who is out for the season after undergoing elbow surgery, is reportedly “livid” about the fine and plans to appeal it. But NFL rules ban anyone on the sideline — except for doctors and members of the athletic training staff — from wearing or using any electronic device that can transmit messaging.
Roethlisberger claims he wasn’t even aware he was wearing the watch and is upset that he was not given any advance warning that he could be in violation of league rules. His wife reportedly dressed him for the game on Monday and strapped the watch to his wrist because he’s currently unable to use his right arm.
Big Ben sustained the elbow injury in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks and, following his surgery, is expected to be out until next season. Mason Rudolph is filling in at quarterback for the Steelers in his absence.
This isn’t the first instance of a player being fined for having an electronic device on the sidelines. In 2011, former Steelers safety Troy Polamalu was fined a whopping $100,000 for using a cell phone on the sideline. Former Browns GM Ray Farmer was suspended for four games in 2015 for texting members of his coaching staff during games.
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