By Sunday 
Celebration gone wrong turns into a $17,968 reminder that the league is always watching
For the Detroit Lions, Sunday’s home win over the Dallas Cowboys had plenty to celebrate. A big performance, a forced turnover, and a convincing 44–30 victory at Ford Field all pointed to a good day at the office. But for linebacker Alex Anzalone, the aftermath came with an expensive footnote.
A Costly Moment After a Big Play
The fine stems from a sequence that initially looked like everything breaking right for Detroit. On a 3rd-and-21 in the second quarter, Dak Prescott checked the ball down to tight end Jake Ferguson. After a short gain, Amik Robertson and Jack Campbell closed in to stop him.
Campbell then punched the ball loose while Ferguson was still upright, and safety Brian Branch recovered the fumble at midfield. Lions players erupted in celebration — and that’s where things took a turn.
As Anzalone ran in to join the moment, throwing his arms into the air, his right arm struck Cowboys rookie offensive guard Tyler Booker in the back. Officials didn’t throw a flag, but the NFL later reviewed the play and disagreed.
The NFL’s Ruling
On Saturday, the league announced a $17,968 fine for Anzalone for unnecessary roughness, citing “striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing.” The infraction occurred with 6:28 left in the second quarter, at a time when the Lions held a slim 10–6 lead.
While no penalty was assessed during the game, video shows Booker appearing to ask officials for a flag following the contact — a detail that didn’t go unnoticed once the league office weighed in.
A Familiar Story for Anzalone
According to Spotrac, this marks the sixth fine of Anzalone’s career and his second this season. Earlier in the year, during a Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, he was fined $12,172 for fighting. All told, the veteran linebacker has now racked up $93,190 in fines across his career.
Despite the fine, Anzalone’s on-field impact against Dallas was solid. He finished the game with seven tackles, including four solo, playing a key role in Detroit’s defensive effort.
Others Didn’t Escape the Fine List
Anzalone wasn’t alone in hearing from the league office after the game. Cowboys fullback Hunter Luepke was fined $8,537 for unnecessary roughness for “use of helmet” on the opening kickoff. Receiver George Pickens also picked up an $11,593 fine for a facemask late in the second quarter.
Former Lions draft pick James Houston, now with Dallas, was fined $5,722 for a hit on Jared Goff that was ruled a blow to the head or neck area.
A Win With an Asterisk
For Detroit, the fines won’t overshadow a strong win over a playoff contender. But for Anzalone, it’s another reminder that even in moments of celebration, discipline still matters — especially under the NFL’s ever-tightening safety rules.