San Diego Chargers' Eric Weddle fined for watching daughter dance

Weddle has been with the San Diego Chargers for nine years

The San Diego Chargers have fined Eric Weddle $10,000 for watching his daughter perform a half-time routine with the team's junior cheerleaders.

Weddle, one of the team's best players, has also been banned from attending San Diego's final NFL game of the season.

The 30-year-old chose to remain on the field instead of returning to the locker room at the end of the half.

Head coach Mike McCoy said in a statement that it was an "organisational call".

Weddle, who has played 137 games in a nine-year stint with the Chargers, was watching his seven-year-old daughter Brooklyn dance in a programme sponsored by the team's cheerleaders.

He was not the only player with a child performing, but was the only one who did not join his team-mates and coaches at half-time in last week's 30-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Weddle's agent David Canter tweeted a picture of Weddle with his daughter and described the fine as "nonsense"

McCoy added: "We have a club policy here and there are certain things we have to do at half-time to make adjustments and things like that."

Weddle, a free safety, was placed on the injured reserve list and told he will not be allowed to travel with the team for the season-ending game in Denver on Sunday.

He is set to become an unrestricted free agent this spring.