Mock shooting of Eagle costs Nate Burleson big bucks

Nate Burleson went hunting and the NFL has made him pay the price.

The Detroit Lions wide receiver was fined $10,000 by the league for his touchdown celebration in Sunday’s comeback victory at Philadelphia. Burleson was not penalized on the play.

After hauling in his pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford in the corner of the end zone during the fourth quarter, Burleson flapped his arms as if he was an Eagle in flight. Then, he pretended to shoot the bird down.

According to Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press, the NFL came down on Burleson because the celebration included a “violent action toward another team.”

Burleson indicated he will appeal the fine, saying he could have been shooting the Eagle with a “super soaker.”

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune