Outcry after Chiefs player flagged for post-touchdown prayer

[Jazzy]

The NFL said Tuesday that Kansas City Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah should not have been penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct when he dropped to his knees in prayer after an interception.

The league's rule book prohibits players from celebrating while on the ground, but spokesman Michael Signora wrote in an email Tuesday that "the officiating mechanic in this situation is not to flag a player who goes to the ground as part of religious expression, and as a result, there should have been no penalty on the play."

The flag thrown in the fourth quarter of Kansas City's 41-14 victory over the New England Patriots on Monday night led to criticism on social media, with many wondering how it was different from players such as former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow dropping to one knee in prayer.

Tebow, a devout Christian, often knelt in prayer after a success on the field- a phenomenon that became known as "Tebowing" during the 2011-2012 season.

Abdullah, a six-year NFL veteran from Los Angeles, is a devout Muslim who took a year off from football to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. He said after Monday's game that he knew before he even reached the end zone he would drop to his knees in thankful prayer after intercepting Tom Brady.

After he slid to the grass in Arrowhead Stadium, yellow flags came flying from the officials.

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Do you think he should have been penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct? Why/Why Not?

 

[DarkFury]

The "unsportsman like" is a catch all until a real rule is written. It was first used when late hits in the end zone or side lines were called. That became the "late hit" rule.

It was later used when grabbing a players helmet to throw them down. That became the "face mask" rule.

Then it was used for taunting in the end zone and still is. They starting using it for the celebrations during the Bears run to the Super bowl for end zone dances. I think TV time had a lot to do with that one.

Now it's prayer so I guess there will be a "no prayer" rule coming soon. Should he have got the flag? NO. Show me the physical or mental "injury" to another player.

This is a sport played long enough will give you a life long disability.
This is a sport played long enough will shorten your life span.
This is a sport if played long enough will lower you IQ.

If I made a touchdown uninjured I would be thanking somebody.

 

[Webster]

I think if any player wants to drop to a knee for a couple seconds in prayer, in thanks to their God, I don't think the NFL or anyone else should make one peep about it. Where is the harm in this action? It benefits no one, it harms no one, it gives no one an unfair advantage, it is a non-issue, in my mind. If a player wants to take 3 seconds and thank their God, who is anyone else to say "Boo" about it??

Well said, Smooth...well said.

 

[DrLeftover]

Given the trouble the NFL has been in lately, it looks like they would encourage people of any faith to pray, not penalize them for doing it.

And I don't believe "the slide" business for a minute.