Taunting, or not?
2 min read
Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Every season brings new rules to the NFL, sometimes it’s a reaction to the previous year, sometimes it’s a trial run that spends a season with nobody really understanding how the rule should be enforced; including the team in stripes.
The “taunting” rule has recently been fleshed out and the powers-that-be have encouraged the officials to stamp out taunting. So far it’s a mess!
In no doubt, many supporters know that this rule has been implemented to prevent media darlings from being embarrassed, or tempers flared. Who of us can spot the difference between Tyreek Hill throwing the “deuces” and backflipping into the end zone early against the eventual Super Bowl champions?
That was a display of “showmanship” from one of the game’s elite players. However, the story was very different in February when the gesture was reversed, by of all people, some upstart rookie. This was a blemish on the sport and needed to be ended. The NFL signaled their intent immediately by issuing Winfield Jr. a fine for his repayment of the gesture. The NFL was not happy that one of its stars was being embarrassed on the biggest stage.
Now, here we are, trying to decipher what is a taunt or not. This is also the problem that the referees are having. What can be interpreted by one person as a natural expression of joy for making a big play, can be interpreted as a disgraceful display of taunting and unsportsmanlike behavior?
Even looking at a comparison from just week 2, it is impossible to miss that these calls are being called in a confusing and arbitrary way. Many high-profile personalities taking to Twitter to voice their frustrations.
Our own Mike Edwards was flagged after turning to check he wasn’t being pursued and no flags were flying, entering the end zone backward with a smile wider than the skyway. Comparing this with many other “celebrations” that were let go, and others that were “taunting” is adding a layer of confusion to the game. Considering that the 15 yards given on the penalty are no small change, this just simply isn’t acceptable.
Players train their whole lives, make huge sacrifices to make it to the top, and now they aren’t even allowed to be happy about it.
