Rex Ryan Fined $75k for Cursing at Heckler

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan was fined $75,000 by the NFL on Monday for cursing at a fan during a game against the New England Patriots.

Ryan was caught telling a fan to Shut the f-k up, after the unidentified heckler told the Jets coach that Patriots coach Bill Belichick was better than him. The Jets would go on to lose the Patriots, 37-16, at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands on Nov. 13.

Ryan apologized for his behavior after the cell phone video of the incident was posted on YouTube and went viral.

It was emotional, an emotional time, Ryan said. I obviously made a mistake. I was full of emotion and just popped off. Obviously I know I represent the NFL, I know I represent the Jets, and I know it was a mistake. I apologize. ... I'm about as big a competitor there is. At that time, I was in no mood to hear anything, but I also understand I have to handle that better.

This isn't the first time Ryan's wallet has taken a hit because of a camera phone, though. He was fined $50,000 in 2010 after he was caught on video flipping his middle finger to a heckler during a MMA event. The NFL's fine was more expensive this time because Ryan is a repeat offender, a league spokesman told The Associated Press.

Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum, who has been fined by the NFL in the past, said in a statement that Ryan's behavior was unacceptable.

Rex and I have talked about it, Tannenbaum said last week. Obviously, he let his emotions get the best of him. He knows his behavior was not acceptable.