denverdan Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/football/nfl/kansas_city_chiefs/13409892.htm Posted on Thu, Dec. 15, 2005 Flying finger fiasco: Cunningham caught making obscene gestureVermeil calls incident a mistake of passionBy ELIZABETH MERRILLThe Kansas City StarThe mystery of Sunday’s infamous sideline gesture has been solved. Gunther Cunningham extended his finger toward the field in the final seconds of a 31-28 loss at Dallas. And it wasn’t a thumbs-up. In response to a flurry of calls and e-mails, The Star reviewed frame-by-frame tape of the incident, which was caught on camera during the CBS broadcast of the game. It clearly reveals the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator giving the finger after a fourth-and-goal holding penalty that gave the Cowboys new life with 46 seconds to play. Coach Dick Vermeil said Wednesday that he’s talked to Cunningham about the incident but that the conversation was “not in a reprimanding way.” “Hey, he made a mistake, and that happens,” Vermeil said. “I have seen that sign of peace in a national broadcast by an NCAA college football player. That’s a sign of frustration more than anything else, and sometimes, they deserve it. “We all should demonstrate more professional poise, and he would tell you the same thing. But in the heat of the battle sometimes when you’re an intense, passionate, guy like he is … I don’t know how many of you have ever put yourself in that kind of environment to know what finger you might wave.” Cunningham declined to comment Wednesday. The NFL may look into the matter, said Steve Alic, manager of AFC information for the league. “Obscene gestures have drawn fines from the NFL before,” Alic said. “This office reviews everything.” Sunday’s game had enough twists and turns to put Mother Teresa on edge — the Chiefs rolled up nearly 500 yards of offense and blew at least four opportunities in a game that had serious playoff implications. The defense needed just one stop for the win on fourth and goal at the 6 when Greg Wesley knocked a pass out of Jason Witten’s hands and the flag flew. Replays showed that rookie Derrick Johnson was holding on the play. Frustrations flared, and the finger flew. “I didn’t really know anything about it until he brought it up to us,” cornerback Dewayne Washington said. “He lives up to it. Everybody knows he did it, but it’s just one of those things. “You can’t have young people over there (on the sidelines). It’s a grown man’s game, so you’ve got to be a tough guy to say the least.” Cunningham, who was hired to turn around a defense that ranked near the bottom of the NFL, is known for his fiery demeanor, compound cuss words and passion. Two plays after the holding penalty, the cameras flashed to Cunningham again after the Cowboys punched in the winning touchdown on a wide-open pass to Dan Campbell. An animated Cunningham was seen jawing at linebackers coach Fred Pagac after the play. “He’s a coach,” defensive tackle Lional Dalton said. “He’s into the game, he loves football, and it’s a violent sport. And sometimes … it’s an emotional sport. “I didn’t see anything wrong with it. He’s not hurting anybody, and the referee’s not going to lose any sleep over it. But the league has its rules, and we have to abide by them.” Obscene fines A few players have gotten into trouble with the league recently concerning “obscene” gestures: BYRON LEFTWICH, JACKSONVILLE QB ■ Offense: Two gestures toward Colts defensive line coach John Teerlinck, September 2005 ■ Fine: $10,000 RANDY MOSS, MINNESOTA WR ■ Offense: Fake mooned the Green Bay crowd after a touchdown, January 2005 ■ Fine: $10,000 JAKE PLUMMER, DENVER QB ■ Offense: Flipping off Broncos fans who booed his performance, December 2004 ■ Fine: $5,000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Washington Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 DD, u can't post full article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westbrook36 Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 Seriously, who cares? For a KC newspaper to get the footage and watch it frame by frame, like they are blowing the lid off the Kennedy assassination.....well, it just comes off as pitiful to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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