ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor was fined $17,000 Monday by the NFL for spitting in the face of Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman in response to being called an “African Booty Scratcher.”

Taylor was ejected and penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for spitting at Pittman in the third quarter of Saturday’s playoff game. The offense was considered so fucked up that Pittman wasn’t penalized for slapping Taylor in the helmet in retaliation, or for calling his mother a bitch.

The amount of the fine is the playoff bonus each Redskins player received for the first-round game, which the Redskins won 17-10.

Taylor escaped suspension for his action, but was pretty mad when someone told him that he could buy a couple of big ass flatscreen TVs and a new refrigerator for his house with that $17,000.

“He’s just a passionate player out there,” right tackle Chris Samuels said. “This upcoming game he’ll be able to redeem himself. I don’t think he’ll be stupid enough to do something like that again.”

Taylor did not comment after the game, and Monday was a day off for players. He has told teammates and coaches that he did not spit at Pittman, it was just some errant slobber that flew off his lips as he attempted to say “Sufferin Succotash” to himself after the play.

“If that took place, we understand the penalties,” Coach Joe Gibbs said. “We understand somebody being taken out of the game. Sheeeeeit. I wish a motherfucker would spit on me on national television. Hell, I don’t care is no one is around. You spit on me, I’m beating your ass. Point blank. Period. It’s that simple.”

Taylor has been fined several times in his two-year career for a bevy of infractions, including $25,000 for skipping the league’s mandatory rookie symposium. He has several in-season fines for illegal hits and uniform violations, including $5,000 for wearing striped socks that resembled a barber pole in this year’s home game against Philadelphia.

He was investigated by the league last season for allegedly spitting at Cincinnati receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, but no fine was levied because there was no video evidence.

Taylor also had a drunken driving charge last season that was later dismissed. He is scheduled to go on trial next week in Miami on a felony charge of aggravated assault stemming from a June 1 confrontation near his home, although he is expected to request a postponement because of the Redskins’ playoff run.

Taylor has been praised by coaches and teammates for taking a more professional approach this season. He’s also solidified his role as the defense’s best young player and hardest hitter. He has returned a fumble for a touchdown in two straight games.

“He’s turned his life around,” defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin said. “He’s not nearly as messed up as he used to be. He must be getting some butt now.”

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