The NFL has fined injured Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger $5,000 for wearing an Apple Watch on the Steelers’ sideline during last week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, a source confirmed Sunday to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The NFL bans players from wearing any device that can send a message, presumably to discourage cheating. Another AFC North foe, Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr., wore an (expensive but) lower-tech watch during a game this season and was not fined.
Roethlisberger is “livid” about the fine and plans on appealing it, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Schefter also reported that Roethlisberger didn’t even realize he had the watch on during last week’s “Monday Night Football” game. Since he can’t use his right arm at the moment, his wife helped dress him and put the watch on his left wrist.
Joshua Axelrod: jaxelrod@post-gazette.com and Twitter @jaxel222
First Published: October 6, 2019, 3:53 p.m.
Updated: October 6, 2019, 3:54 p.m.
