Cecil fined $40,000 for "You're No. 1" wave to the officials

Titans defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil, who was fined numerous times during his NFL career for his violent tackling style, was whacked $40,000 by the NFL for making an obscene gesture during yesterday's 26-20 loss to the Broncos.

Cecil was fined according to Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (b) of the Playing Rules, according to the Tennessean. The rule prohibits the use of abusive, threatening or insulting gestures toward officials. Cecil’s gesture was caught on camera by CBS.

Cecil was angered when defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks was penalized for a roughing the passer penalty on Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton. Officials ruled Marks hit Orton low, but replays showed contact started in the upper thigh area.

Last year, Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 for raising both middle fingers toward the Bills sideline near the end of a game in Tennessee. 

Titans players expressed support for Cecil, and hinted they'd help pay for the fine. That's not allowed, however.

"I didn’t know he did it,’’ cornerback Cortland Finnegan said. "But I know he is an emotional guy and we stand behind Chuck no matter what. I know he’ll answer to that as a man. That just shows his emotion and we’ll stand behind him and chip in for him."

Cecil was fined $20,000 last December for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty involving game officials during a loss to the Chargers.