Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper continues to find himself in the news for all the wrong reasons. Most recently, that included being caught on video throwing a drink at a Jacksonville Jaguars fan during Sunday’s ugly road loss.
Initially, it was being reported that the NFL was looking to hand Tepper a multi-game suspension. Instead, the league announced on Tuesday that it has fined Tepper a cool $300,000.
“All NFL personnel are expected to conduct themselves at all times in ways that respect our fans and favorably reflect on their team and the NFL,” the league said in a statement in announcing Tepper’s suspension.
As for the embattled owner, he finally issued an apology after the fine was made public record.
“I am deeply passionate about this team and regret my behavior on Sunday. I should have let NFL stadium security handle any issues that arose,” Tepper said. “I respect the NFL’s code of conduct and accept the League’s discipline for my behavior.”
It’s no surprise that the league would issue such a punishment after what we saw from Tepper inside EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville during NFL Week 17.
Though, it is somewhat surprising that Tepper did not receive a suspension for his actions. Owners should be held as accountable as coaches and players. If one of the Panthers’ players had done the same thing, a suspension would have likely been in the cards.
That seemed to be in the cards prior to Tuesday’s news.
“Talking with folks around the league the last few days, a substantial fine and potential suspension from game(s) has to be on the table for David Tepper from the NFL,” CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported earlier on Tuesday. “That there’s been no apology since — not a peep — from the team is unusual, to say the least.”
David Tepper drama not a good look for Carolina Panthers
Tepper has been in the news a lot this season as his Panthers finish up shop on what has been another lost season. That includes heading into Week 18 with just two wins. For his part, Tepper fired head coach Frank Reich after less than one full season.
He is also seemingly leading a toxic workplace environment after purchasing the franchise from the disgraced Jerry Richardson back in 2018.
The question here is whether the NFL will take further action given all of the drama that has surrounded Tepper this season.