Cleveland, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - The National Football League has reportedly fined Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel $12,000 for giving the Washington Redskins bench the middle finger during Monday's preseason game.
According to Cleveland.com and ESPN, Manziel was levied the fine on Friday.
Manziel gave the Redskins bench the gesture late in the third quarter, after opposing players were jawing with him. The Redskins won, 24-23.
"I get words exchanged throughout the entirety of the game, every game, week after week, and I should've been smarter," Manziel said. "It was a 'Monday Night Football' game and cameras were probably solid on me, and I just need to be smarter about that. ... It's there, and it's present every game, and I just need to let it slide off my back and go to the next play."
Manziel learned on Wednesday that he will start the season as backup to Brian Hoyer.
Hoyer started each of the Browns' first two preseason games. He completed 6- of-14 passes for 92 yards in the opener against Detroit and was just 2-of-6 for 16 yards this past Monday against Washington.
Manziel, selected with the 22nd overall pick in May's draft, threw for 63 yards on 7-of-11 passing in the first preseason game against the Lions. He was 7-of-16 for 65 yards with a touchdown on Monday, but was also sacked three times.
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