Three Dolphins fined $10,000 each for end-zone dance

Oct/11/08 12:40 PM Filed in: Vernon Carey
VernonCarey
Ikechuku Ndukwe's dancing days are over.

Ndukwe, a second-year guard, can't afford to get carried away the way he did Sunday during the Dolphins' 17-10 win against San Diego.

Ndukwe joined running back Ronnie Brown and offensive tackle Vernon Carey for an end-zone dance - the Cupid Shuffle - to celebrate Brown's touchdown run.

The NFL slapped each player with a $10,000 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct. It was a stiff fine for each player, but especially for Ndukwe, who makes a base salary of $370,000.

"It hurt me badly," he said. "I think it's a lot of money for anybody, but it's a lot of money for me."

The fine is a huge cut of Ndukwe's next game check. He makes a little less than $22,000 before taxes each week of the NFL season.

When he heard the news, he said, "I was shocked by it."

Brown was, too.

"I was surprised by the amount more so than getting fined," he said. "Rules are rules and I figured there would be some kind of disciplinary action, but I didn't think $10,000 worth for a little shuffle."

But Brown and Carey are former first-round picks making millions. Ndukwe, who making his third NFL start, wasn't even drafted and is making the NFL minimum.

The players are appealing the fine, but if it sticks, Brown - who has a base salary of $3.66 million - said he would pay half of the fine for Ndukwe.

Carey, who was the instigator for the dance and makes $2.57 million, is getting off relatively easy.

"I figured Vern was going to give me some money, but nah," Ndukwe said.

Next time, Ndukwe will know what to do.

"No more dancing for me," he said. "I'm running straight for the sideline."

(palmbeachpost.com)