‘Strictly enforced’ – NFL warns teams referees will be hot on controversial rule during playoffs
Officials are going to take a no-nonsense approach to sportsmanship in the NFL playoffs.
League bosses are determined to stamp out acts like taunting and have made it a specific focus in the postseason.
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Referees will hope to stay out of the spotlight this weekendCredit: GettyThe NFL’s SVP of officiating administration, Perry Fewell, sent a memo to head coaches and general managers Wednesday.
“At this level of competition emotions will run high, but no amount of emotion should give way to demeaning and offensive words, taunting, or other non-football acts,” he said, per CBS Sports.
“No one wants a penalty, or a player ejection, to determine the outcome of a game.”
Referees will be on the lookout for dirty plays and stars taunting opponents as the race to the Super Bowl kicks up a notch.
MORE ON NFLHouston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was ejected after a brutal late hit on Trevor Lawrence earlier this season, while Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was punished for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against the Washington Commanders.
“This memo is a reminder that the NFL standard of Sportsmanship will be strictly enforced during the playoffs,” the momo continued.
“Please assist Game Officials by encouraging sportsmanship, respect, and high standards of excellence as the competition escalates on the most visible platform in the world.
“Your active goodwill in emphasizing Sportsmanship and alerting your players and coaches to our position regarding non-football acts is greatly appreciated.”
San Francisco 49ers tackle Trent Williams and then Eagles safety K’Von Wallace were both ejected late in the 2022 NFC title game for fighting.
A player is ejected if he picks up two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties during a game and can even be booted for a single act if it is deemed to warrant it.
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The NFL wants to present a clean image to fansCredit: GettyViolent gestures – which have mainly been flagged over players pretending to fire an imaginary gun – are considered unsportsmanlike conduct.
“It’s a long-standing policy and we are going to enforce that,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in October.
“[NFL EVP of football operations] Troy [Vincent] had a direct conversation with the union I think just last week about it.
“We’re going to continue on that focus. We don’t think it’s appropriate in those circumstances and sends the wrong messages. So, we’ll continue to do that.”
Unsportsmanlike conduct is a hot topic in NFL circles with fans and former players believing the rules are too strictly enforced.
The crackdown on violent gestures, in particular, has been criticised on social media.
Including the playoffs, the NFL issued 419 fines in 2023. Through Week 17, there have been 484 this season.
League bosses will not want to see suspensions during the postseason and will hope teams get the memo.
Pat McAfee hit out at a call from Texas’ defeat to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinals Friday night.
Gunnar Helm was penalized for pointing at the Buckeyes player he had just stiff-armed to the turf.
“Not in this moment stripes, can not do that,” McAfee posted on X.
It caused a fierce debate with fans split down the middle.
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“It’s called taunting. Don’t point at the guy you just knocked down. Act like you’ve been there before,” said one.
Read More on talkSPORT”That was a ridiculous flag (and I’m an Ohio State fan),” argued another.
The NFL will hope that getting out in front of the issue avoids similar controversy.
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