Security Antoine Winfield Jr. is donating $ 7,815, the amount he was fined for insulting Tyreek Hill of the Kansas City chiefs at the Super Bowl LV, to support the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Youth Leadership Program at Tampa’s Young Middle Magnet School.
The Buccaneers Foundation is matching its donation, raising the total donation to the school by $ 15,630.
“Once it got a lot of media attention, it was there and I just wanted to spin it in a way that made it positive,” Winfield told the team’s website.
Winfield has mentored students through the program, part of the Buccaneers’ social justice initiative. After Winfield was fined, fans asked if they could pay the fine, but he encourages them to donate to the school.
“Our district is deeply grateful, not only for the Tampa Bay buccaneers, but also for Antoine Winfield, Jr. for this cash donation that will have a strong impact on Young Middle Magnet,” said Hillsborough County Superintendent Addison Davis of according to the team’s website. “Taking an unhappy situation and turning it into a positive one is the measure of a true champion and a wonderful example for our students and the whole community.”
Winfield received a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct for making a peace sign in Hill’s face while the Chiefs’ receiver was leaving the field in the fourth period with the Buccaneers comfortably ahead.
After the Buccaneers’ 31-9 win, Winfield told reporters he was just returning the favor to Hill, who he said made a similar gesture during the regular season in a game the Chiefs won 27-24. Hill scored three touchdowns and had 269 yards receiving in 13 receptions in that game, but was kept in seven receptions, 73 yards and no touchdowns in the Super Bowl.
“The provocation, man, is something I had to do. When we played them earlier, Hill attacked us. He somersaulted right in front of my face and gave me the peace sign. So it was just right that I I gave him the peace sign back to him. It was amazing to be able to do that, “he told reporters.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter contributed to this report.