Posted on 09/30/2014 7:22:40 AM PDT by GIdget2004
Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah followed in the footsteps of many other players on Monday night when he celebrated his interception return for a touchdown by going to his knees in prayer.
Unlike those other players, Abdullah was penalized for going to the ground under the league’s rules for unsportsmanlike conduct. The only difference between Abdullah and the other players was that Abdullah is Muslim and his prayer therefore looked a bit different than what we’ve seen from others, although that didn’t make it any odder since the NFL doesn’t have rules governing which deity their players are permitted to offer thanks to after a touchdown.
Abdullah said he thought the penalty might have been for sliding to his knees rather than dropping, but NFL spokesman Michael Signora didn’t split any hairs on Tuesday when announcing that the official erred in throwing the flag.
“Husain Abdullah should not have been penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct following his fourth quarter touchdown,” Signora wrote in an email to PFT. “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.”
(Excerpt) Read more at profootballtalk.nbcsports.com ...
If true, they should have mandated stadiums NW-SE if sun location is a problem during afternoon games.........
OH Yeah that greatest sport celebration moment
This is not just an NFL issue it is occuring everywhere. It’s not about the praying, it’s about cultural acclimation then eventual acceptance as the new normal.
I was thinking the same thing. However back when the NFL wasn't the big deal it is today a lot of the stadiums were located right in the downtown areas. I know there are exceptions but aren't most cites set up on N-S & E-W grids. This would have made NW-SE configuration more difficult. Also a lot of them were combo football-baseball with baseball being played in the summer with the sun straight up.
I guess that’s why they switch goals every quarter. The Sun and wind factor................
If there are any muzzies on the defensive side of the ball, will they ever be penalized for going for the head?
False comparison. Tebow was always on the sidelines; Abdullah was in the end zone, on the field.
Per Rush L, the NFL has issued a statement that the flag should not have been thrown. They have NO rule against the end-zone action of the player.
When I have been at pro games, the “Fellowship of Christian Athletes”(?) members from both teams gather in a circle on the fifty and pray after the game. No TV cameras, no press coverage, etc.
If the Amish want to gather together as well, let it happen then.
No. They do that to confuse the really stupid players into running the wrong direction.
No different than another player pointing to the heavens and saying “thank you, Lord”. It was less annoying than some of what Dandy Don used to call the “little dicky-doo dance in the end zone” back in the day.
The field at Arrowhead goes East and West, it is parallel with I-70.
I googled it. You are semi right. It goes NW-SE. I-70 is not E-W at that point.
Then why the ridicule for Tebow’s faith?
Tebow should have Tebowed after making a good play then”
It’s not illegal to worship idols. Just stupid.
First, using a PIGSKIN football, he scores a touchdown.
Then he prays to Allah to thank him.
And the focus is HOW he prayed?
What about touching the PIGSKIN?
“What about touching the PIGSKIN?”
You know they aren’t really made of pigskin, right?
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