Jets Coach Ryan Won't Appeal $75K Fine for Cursing at Fan

(New York Post) - NEW YORK -- The NFL fined Jets head coach Rex Ryan $75,000 for cursing at a fan at halftime of the Jets-Patriots game at MetLife Stadium on Nov. 13. Ryan's exchange with the fan was caught on video and went viral on the internet.

"Hey, Rex, [Bill] Belichick is better than you!" a fan screamed at Ryan as he walked off the field and entered the tunnel at halftime.

"Shut the [explative] up," Ryan yelled back at the fan.

Ryan apologized for the incident last week and said Monday he will not appeal the fine.

"The commissioner's got a tough enough job," Ryan said. "I'm an NFL lifer. I know I represent the NFL and I represent the Jets. I'm accountable for my actions, so I will not appeal it. I'm just moving on to Buffalo [Sunday's opponent]."

The $75,000 fine is more than the $50,000 Ryan was fined by the Jets in 2010 for giving the middle finger to fans at a mixed martial arts event in Miami during the week before the Super Bowl. Ryan said he spoke to commissioner Roger Goodell last week about the more recent incident.

"I wanted to apologize to him," Ryan said. "Shoot, I've never denied that I made a mistake. I did make a mistake.

"Quite honestly, the man has made a decision and his decision is that I should be fined $75,000 ... that's the way it is," Ryan added.

"I just want to get it behind me. Obviously, it was a mistake that I made and I'm responsible for my actions.

"I haven't denied that one bit or slouched on that responsibility. To coach in the National Football League is an honor. I don't want to be the guy to put a black eye on this or whatever. I just want to get it behind me and move forward."