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Did NFL not fine Emmanuel Sanders because he's bad at twerking?

Aaron Doster / USA TODAY Sports

It appears as though Denver Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders has not been fined for his questionably risque celebration against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The NFL announced who was subjected to financial discipline for Week 3 and Sanders wasn't among them, which begs the question - why not?

After scoring a touchdown in the second quarter last week, Sanders broke out a "twerking" celebration similar to that of Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown, who received a fine for his actions.

Brown called out Sanders for copying his moves on Friday via Twitter, asking fans to tell him "who did it better", but the NFL may have already answered his question by not dishing out punishment.

The Steelers' receiver was fined for unsportsmanlike conduct deemed "sexually suggestive," according to the NFL rule book. There's no arguing that twerking is sexually suggestive.

Upon further examination, Brown's "pumps" are done in the classic pelvic-thrusting fashion, but Sanders may have been spared because he went with more of weird torso thrust.

Let's take another look.

Clearly the intent was there, but there are some clear differences. So one of the following has to be true:

  • Due his lack of pelvic use, the NFL didn't deem Sanders' twerking "sexually suggestive"
  • The NFL felt bad about Sanders' poor twerking and gave him a break
  • The NFL unfairly favors Sanders and wants Brown to settle down
  • The NFL was distracted by Trevor Siemian's four-touchdown performance and forgot to issue a fine
  • Key & Peele were right - two pumps are allowed

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