MILWAUKEE (AP) - The man who inspired Santonio Holmes' Super Bowl touchdown celebration was downright disgusted by the NFL's decision to fine the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver for his LeBron-like display.
Told before Friday night's game at Milwaukee that Holmes was fined $10,000 by the NFL, Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James called the league's decision "disgusting.""Did he?" James asked. "That's disgusting."
Asked if he thought such celebrations make the game more fun for the fans, James said "absolutely."
"Fun for the fans - fun for me," James said. "I was watching. Us Ohio State Buckeyes, we're alums, man. We've got to stick together."
Holmes was the Steelers' first-round pick out of Ohio State in 2006. James, of course, jumped straight from high school to the NBA. But he has an affinity for the Buckeyes - particularly after they debuted basketball uniforms with Nike's LeBron logo in 2007.
Holmes' acrobatic catch sealed Pittsburgh's 27-23 Super Bowl victory over Arizona.
Impersonating James' pregame ritual of tossing powder into the air, Holmes celebrated by shaking the football and tossing it. The Steelers weren't penalized, apparently because the officials were getting ready for the point-after attempt and did not see Holmes' display in the corner of the end zone, but the NFL ultimately fined Holmes for using the football as a prop.
James figures the Steelers will be willing to pay the fine.
"Super Bowl MVP and made that catch? I think the Steelers are going to pick that up," he said.
