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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The Pittsburgh Steelers left Paris with a 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints in the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in France. The result extended Pittsburgh's winning streak to three games and moved them up to 5-2 on the year, even with the Cleveland Browns atop the AFC North.
It was a tightly contested contest, but the Steelers controlled the ground game, rushing for 148 yards while holding the Saints to just 18. Pittsburgh's defense also came up with a huge play early in the third quarter when linebacker Payton Wilson intercepted Tyler Shough in the red zone with the Saints threatening to take the lead.
Steelers tight end Darnell Washington provided the team with their only touchdown of the game, hauling in a four-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers midway through the second quarter. However, how Washington celebrated that score has now drawn punishment from the league.
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Washington was fined $14,926 for unsportsmanlike conduct after his celebration, with the NFL categorizing it as an illegal act or vulgar gesture. Interestingly, he was not penalized for the celebration during the game, but the Steelers tight end is facing financial consequences nonetheless.
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Washington is a 25-year-old tight end who was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft after a standout college career at Georgia. Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 264 pounds, he's a big, physical target who also plays an important role as a blocker. Through seven games this season, he's recorded 16 receptions for 160 yards and three touchdowns, emerging as one of Rodgers' favorite red zone targets.
The fine comes as the NFL and NFL Players Association have recently reminded players that celebrations involving sexual gestures are prohibited and can result in a 15-yard penalty, a fine, or both. Washington's punishment is just another example of the league's willingness to enforce those rules, even if officials don't flag the play during the game.
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As for the rest of the Steelers, they head into Sunday gearing up for one of the biggest games of their season: a rematch against the Browns. Cleveland won the first battle a few weeks ago, and Pittsburgh will need a win to take control of the division, which is especially important right now with the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals on their heels.
After Cleveland on Sunday, the Steelers will travel to Cincinnati and then Philadelphia before home games against the Broncos and Texans.
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