To No One's Surprise...

[mikey23545]

NFL admits mistake in penalizing Husain Abdullah for religious celebration


The NFL wasted no time admitting a mistake in penalizing Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah, who went to the ground in Muslim prayer after scoring a touchdown against the Patriots.

Abdullah's touchdown, celebration and ensuing 15-yard penalty happened on Monday night, and by Tuesday morning the NFL was making sure the controversy didn't spread any further than it has, releasing a statement that the penalty was a mistake. Players are not allowed to go to the ground to celebrate, but NFL spokesman Michael Signora told USA Today's Tom Pelissero that religious expression is not included in that rule.

"Husain Abdullah should not have been penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct following his fourth quarter touchdown," Signora said in an email to USA Today.

"Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (d) states 'players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations or demonstrations while on the ground.' However, 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."

Abdullah tried deflecting attention from the situation after the game by saying that he thought he was penalized for sliding after getting into the end zone, but the NFL's admission of error makes it clear that wasn't the case. Christian players for many years have gone to the ground to pray after touchdowns, even after the NFL passed its rule outlawing players going to the ground during touchdown celebrations. Very few of those prayers were penalized, so it was strange when a Muslim player was penalized.

The NFL has admitted it was a mistake. The league probably hopes that ends the potential controversy.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Oregon chief

I'm sure that's true. I have a feeling people are trying to spin this as they flagged him for praying Muslim style though. Just dumb.

Yeah, that's a dumb argument. I have also seen a lot of outrage that the NFL was "fining" him for the prayer.

I do think that it's possible the ref flagged him out of ignorance, though, not realizing it was a religious expression.

[Swanman]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

it's because players started doing all this choreographed dance stuff on the ground so they just said "no props, no going to the ground"

then Teblow and all his religious freaks got pissed, so they made an exception about the single knee prayer

It's a stupid rule regardless. Unless you are actively taunting the opponent, who the hell cares what you do in the end zone unless it's somehow delaying the game.

[Oregon chief]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Yeah, that's a dumb argument. I have also seen a lot of outrage that the NFL was "fining" him for the prayer.

I do think that it's possible the ref flagged him out of ignorance, though, not realizing it was a religious expression.

Ignorance yes, I doubt the ref realized it was a prayer at the time.

[Contrarian]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Does this mean Chiefs fans now support beheadings in honor of Allah and ISIS?

Does this post mean you're a reerun?

[cabletech94]

just wanted to say "hi" before thread gets moved to DC.


go chiefs!
gooooooooooooo royals!!!!!!

[ptlyon]

Originally Posted by cabletech94

just wanted to say "hi" before thread gets moved to DC.


go chiefs!
gooooooooooooo royals!!!!!!

HAAAAAAaaaaayyy

[rico]

Muhammad Jihad!!! Derka-derka-derka!!!!

[Buck]

Outside of putting a player, coach, or fan in physical danger, there should be no damn celebration penalties. If ever there was a time to end the No Fun League rules, it would be now.

[siberian khatru]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Are there any Rasta players? Games in Denver could get . . . mellow.