Through the years, the NFL has had it’s share of issues come and go as it pertains to officiating. Without diving too deep into the real issues that have been popping up in the 2025 season, I am going to focus on one aspect that the league has placed a heavy emphasis on this year—taunting and unsportsmanlike penalties.
Prior to the season kicking off, the NFL announced it would be crackng down on “violent and sexually suggestive gestures” this season.
“Unsportsmanlike gestures like simulating or either shooting a gun or brandishing a gun, or inappropriate gestures like a throat slash, or unfortunate sexual gestures, those were up 133% so that is a point of emphasis,” said NFL rules analyst Walt Anderson back in August of 2025. “The officials have made it a point of emphasis to the clubs. It’s just one of those areas that the league wants to work actively on. There are plenty of ways for players to be able to celebrate, and they come up with some very unique and often entertaining ways so we want them to focus on those and not the inappropriate areas.”
I understand some of the policy. Obviously we do not want players using any sort of celebration that includes guns or anything of that nature. However, banning the “nose wipe” gesture seemed silly to me. During the Detroit Lions’ Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, several of their star players including receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jameson Williams, as well as running back Jahmyr Gibbs did a booger pick-and-flick celebration for first downs. Unfortunately it was a short-lived idea, as an official told Lions receiver coach Scottie Montgomery to tell his players to knock it off.
Why? Is it violent? No. It is sexually suggestive? Nope! This leads us into today’s question of the day—should the NFL rethink its policy on taunting this offseason?
My answer: Yes. Wide receivers have been spinning the ball and standing over defensive backs since the beginning. And the same goes for defensive backs that get a pass breakup. It goes both ways, all over the field. As long as it doesn’t cross any blatant lines, I don’t think there is an issue. Let the players express themselves and show their personalities so that the game can continue to grow.
Besides, the NFL has real officiating issues that they need to focus on—like what constitutes a catch and how replay-assist should be properly deployed. You know, things that matter.
What about you? Do you think the NFL needs to revisit their stance on taunting and unsportsmanlike penalties this offseason? Let us know in the comments below.
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