The Canadian Football League Thursday fined Toronto Argonauts receiver Arland Bruce an undisclosed amount for his tribute to Michael Jackson in the Argonauts 30-17 win in Hamilton Wednesday night.

In announcing its decision, the league said it was taking the action because of Bruce's "excessive actions."

After scoring on a 21-yard pass from Kerry Joseph to put Toronto ahead 6-0, Bruce removed his helmet, shoulder pads and uniform top, then laid down in the end zone.

Bruce said he was simply honoring the memory of of the singer who died last Thursday by pretending to be buried. Bruce received two objectionable conduct penalties.

"The commissioner has always said he wants the players to have fun, but you can't go over the line," said a CFL spokesman. "It's not always easy to draw that line, but when you remove your equipment to lay down and delay the game like he did, that's where we draw the line."

The team said it supported the league's ruling and noted Bruce apologized at a team meeting on Thursday.

"I made the mistake of telling him in camp that once he got to the end zone, I didn't care what he did," said coach Bart Andrus. "But he's straight with it now and I think next time around he will celebrate in an appropriate manner."