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No Fun League: Ridiculous taunting penalty in Panthers-Colts game draws criticism on social media
By Adam Spencer
Published:
The NFL has asked referees to crack down on taunting this year. Of course, that means some refs are going to take things too far in the opposite direction.
That was evident in Sunday’s preseason Week 1 finale between the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts.
On this 2nd-and-2 play, RB Benny LeMay gets the carry. He picks up the first down and moves the pile several more yards before finally getting brought down. Obviously, he was pumped about the big play and did some flexing and jawing. That drew a flag from the nearest official:
This is an example of the taunting the league doesn't want to see in games. Just happened in the #Panthers–#Colts game.pic.twitter.com/Tu70GjBxwU
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 15, 2021
Yes, LeMay jawed at an opponent. But, there were no aggressive gestures, no getting in the guy’s face — just some yelling and then turning away. No matter, still a penalty, according to the officials.
That, naturally, drew plenty of criticism via social media:
Taunting? Dude just carried the whole team on his back let him show emotion my god
— Seth (@sethS2317) August 15, 2021
That's taunting being excited about making a good play?? Better see a flag on a Aaron Rodgers fist pump then
— ? JK_II ? Kick streamer ? (@KickJK_II) August 15, 2021
They’ll be changing this back ASAP
— ? (@EliCrapp1e) August 15, 2021
You should be allowed to do whatever you want after carrying multiple grown men for 10 yards
— George Chahrouri (@PFF_George) August 15, 2021
I understand taunting being enforced in youth football, but this is the NFL. Let the players play with passion and show their personality . Literally this taunting was the best moment from the last SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/oyzha4ZbSR
— ZukoKamui (@ZukoKamui) August 15, 2021
This game is literally predicated on violence. A player could go un-penalized for hitting someone so hard that it ends their career as long as it’s a “clean” hit, but flexing on your opponent after dragging multiple defenders for 10 yards is too much? Cry.
— Lewi (@L_A_Howell) August 15, 2021
We’ll see if the NFL backs off of its no-taunting mandate moving forward or if we’re going to see multiple calls like this in 2021.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
