FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NFL-38
9/17/99
DUNGY FINED $10,000 FOR VIOLATING LEAGUE POLICY
ON PUBLIC CRITICISM OF OFFICIATING
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach Tony Dungy has been fined $10,000 for violating NFL policy on public criticism of officiating, the NFL announced today.
Dungy publicly criticized the officiating following Tampa Bay’s loss Sunday to the New York Giants. He also publicly discussed the substance of private conversations he had this week with the NFL Officiating Department.
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue notified Dungy by letter today that both of these actions are clear violations of NFL policy.
The NFL requires its Officiating Department to provide candid and factual responses to concerns and questions raised by clubs, but also requires that all such conversations be regarded as confidential and not be discussed publicly by either the NFL office or club personnel.