Security Antoine Winfield Jr. is giving $ 7,815, the amount he received a fine for mocking Kansas City Chiefs ’Tyreek Hill in the Super Bowl LV, for supporting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Youth Leadership Program at Tampa’s Young Middle Magnet School.
The Buccaneers Foundation matches their donation, putting the total donation to the school at $ 15,630.
“Because it got a lot of media attention, he was out there and he wanted to spin it in a way that was positive,” Winfield said on the team’s website.
Winfield has been a mentor to students through the program, which is part of the Buccaneers ’social justice initiative. After Winfield was fined, fans asked if they could pay the fine, but he encourages them to give it to the school.
“Our district is deeply grateful, not only to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but also Antoine Winfield, Jr. for this monetary donation that will have a strong impact on Young Middle Magnet,” said Addison Davis, Hillsborough County Superintendent, according to the team website. . “Taking an unfortunate situation and turning it into a positive situation is the measure of a true champion, and a wonderful example for our students and the entire community.”
Winfield received a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct for making a peace sign on Hill’s face while the Chiefs receiver was leaving the field in the fourth quarter with the Buccaneers comfortably ahead.
After the Buccaneers ’31-9 victory, Winfield told reporters he was only returning the favor to Hill, who said he made a similar gesture during the regular season in a game the Chiefs won 27-24. Hill scored three touchdowns and received 269 yards receiving 13 touchdowns in that game, but held on to seven catches, 73 yards and no touchdowns in the Super Bowl.
“The mockery, man, is something I had to do. When we touched them before, Hill came out to us. He threw me right in front of my face and gave me the peace signal. So it was just that I gave him a peace signal back to him. It was amazing to be able to do that, “he told reporters.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter contributed to this report.