Brenna Cooper
Here are the hefty fines NFL players have faced for doing the same forbidden hand gesture which Beyoncé did during her recent half-time performance.
The pop-icon took to the stage for a half-time show during the Houston Texans vs Baltimore Ravens game on Christmas Day to perform a medley of songs.
Being Beyoncé, the singer pulled out all the stops for her performance at the NRG Stadium in her hometown of Houston, Texas. The 13-minute spectacle included appearances from Post Malone and Shaboozey, covers of Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' and a rendition of The Beatles' 'Blackbird', as well as a cameo from her 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy.
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However, the 43-year-old 'Crazy in Love' singer caused controversy for using a hand gesture that has seen multiple NFL players get penalised for over recent months.
During the performance of her track 'Ya Ya', Beyoncé could be seen making finger gun gestures in time with fireworks exploding behind her. Later on she made the same hand gesture after finishing final song 'Texas Hold 'Em' as a banner emblazoned with the word 'BANG!' unfurled from beneath the floating platform she was stood on.
Now, throwing the odd finger guns in a performance inspired by the Wild West may seem like a pretty obvious thing considering that cowboys and guns often go hand in hand in our pop-culture.
However, the NFL may not see things the same way as players typically face fines and penalties for gestures deemed to be 'violent'. Uh-oh.
NBC Sports previously explained how the NFL began to crack down on violent gestures earlier in the year, with several players being penalised for their choice in celebration.
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According to The Mirror, the repercussion players face for making violent gestures on the pitch is 15 yard penalties and thousands of dollars in fines.
Players who are said to have fallen foul of the rule include Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and tight end David Njoku - who were both fined over $13,000 (£10k) for the gesture - as well as Drake London, Allen Lazard and Ja'Marr Chase.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was also slapped with a $14,069 (£11,190) fine for the 'unsportsmanlike' gesture in November during a game against Buffalo Bills.
NFL executive Troy Vincent previously explained the decision to ban finger guns at games, saying: "There’s no place in professional football for that. Think about where we are as a society…
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"I don’t think that’s where we are and what we’re trying to represent. We have a responsibility as professional athletes."
LADbible Group previously approached Beyoncé's representatives for comment.