Absurd NFL crackdown on taunting continues with Clyde Edwards-Helaire superb – Labeled View

I don’t know if you happen to’re heard about it earlier than, however the NFL may be very strict on taunting these days. Gamers left and proper are getting fined for taunting greater than some other season. As The Ringer noted, there have been solely 19 taunting calls within the NFL within the final two seasons. Up till Week 9, there have been 27 such calls. TWENTY. SEVEN.

The newest sufferer of the tough NFL taunting rule was Kansas City Chiefs operating again Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Of their large Week 11 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Edwards-Helaire pointed at Cowboys linebacker Luke Gifford. Clearly, the referees thought that extreme emotional hurt was carried out to Gifford, as they issued him a taunting penalty and a fine of roughly $10 thousand.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire was known as for taunting as a result of he pointed at #Cowboys LB Luke Gifford.

Unsure how Gifford will recuperate from that. pic.twitter.com/80QCqNJg5b

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 21, 2021

Whereas this one is an apparent taunting name, among the taunting calls within the NFL which have been made are… questionable at greatest. Essentially the most egregious name occurred throughout Monday Night time Soccer, when Bears linebacker Cassius Marsh was known as for taunting after… this horrible act he did.

Cassius Marsh known as for… taunting…. pic.twitter.com/OZ0jkCqWOp

— Justin (@hobokenjustin) November 9, 2021

Sure, you noticed appropriately my buddy. Marsh obtained known as for taunting, after he stared down the air and ran into an official by accident. The NFL rulebook states {that a} taunting penalty is issued when there may be:

“Using baiting or taunting acts or phrases that engender in poor health will between groups.”

Honest sufficient. It’s not solely the NFL that has taunting guidelines enforced. For instance, the NBA additionally has a strict taunting rule that they implement. It’s why gamers like Dikembe Mutombo and Serge Ibaka have needed to do their finger wag motions to the gang. LeBron James additionally obtained issued for taunting after he stared down Jason Terry on this play.

Nonetheless, the NFL’s implementation of taunting has been… wonky at greatest. There have been some legit arguments for a taunt (the Clyde Edwards-Helaire taunting could be probably the most right name this season), however there have been loads of questionable taunting calls which have modified the sport. Working example: this Elijhaa Penny taunting name.

This was known as for taunting 🤦‍♂️
pic.twitter.com/FHVLsndbPU

— PFF (@PFF) November 2, 2021

Clearly, Penny wasn’t taunting any Kansas Metropolis participant. He was solely pointing downfield, as most receivers do after making a primary down. Nonetheless, since Penny by accident pointed at an opposing participant, referees determined to throw him a taunting flag. The movement clearly wasn’t meant to taunt a participant, although…

The justification for these guidelines, in line with the coaches, is straightforward: they need to be a task mannequin. Right here’s Bears coach Matt Nagy’s take on the taunting rules days after his linebacker Marsh was issued a superb:

“Individuals watch, and other people need to see a little bit little bit of respect and a little bit little bit of doing issues the precise manner. It doesn’t imply you possibly can’t have enjoyable, however there’s younger children proper now which might be watching video games… I’m a agency believer in respect and simply children rising and watching and we have now an enormous platform as leaders. Gamers and coaches. Let’s perceive what the foundations are, let’d do it the precise manner.”

Which, truthful sufficient. You do must set an excellent instance for the children watching. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re going to implement these guidelines… no less than do it correctly, man. The best way the NFL is implementing their taunting rule proper now takes away the enjoyable of watching the game, and influences video games manner an excessive amount of.

Hopefully, the NFL begins to ease their implementation on taunting guidelines. As a result of if this retains up, they could by no means be capable to shed their “No Enjoyable League” moniker.