Raiders cornerback thinks he was flagged because of his religion

Yahoo Sports ^ | 10/06/2009 | Chris Chase

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

An Oakland Raiders cornerback claims he was penalized on Sunday for making a religious display while celebrating an interception.

After picking off a Matt Schaub pass in the end zone, Oakland Raiders cornerback Chris Johnson celebrated by dropping to his knees and raising his arms in triumph. He was instantly flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for excessive celebration.

Johnson later complained that he was whistled for thanking God:

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

hmmmm, Refs against the raiders...nothing new here.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

PING

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

NFL PING!

[cranked]

Right.....

[BlueStateBlues]

“Praising God, 10 yard penalty”

A challenge flag is thrown. The replay official prepares to review the evidence. Suddenly, the replay official goes to his knees, holding his eyes, and starts to shout “Praise God”.

“What did he see?” the television commentators ask.

“Just Brett Favre. The clearest evidence we have on earth right now that there is a God”

Penalty overturned.

[RAO1125]

If there was a God, he wouldn’t be cruel enough to make someone play for the Raiders. But then again, we all know god is a Cowboys fan.

[SaxxonWoods]

This calls for a religious joke.

Older lady is in surgery for heart attack. God appears in a vision at her bedside. She asks, “Am I going to die?” No, God says, “You have 30 more years to live.” After surgery lady decides as long as she is in the hospital and has 30 years she will have breast implants, liposuction, plastic surgery and collagen added to her lips.

She leaves the hospital (looking great), flounces across the street and is hit by an ambulance and killed. In heaven she sees God and complains, “I thought you said I had 30 years!” God answers, “That’s true, I said that.”

“What happened?” she asked. God shrugged. “I didn’t recognize you.”

[DWC]

A cowgirl fan.

[Dysart]

God doesn’t believe in the Raiders.

[taillightchaser]

This kind of showboating is what ruined the NFL for me.

[CaptRon]

I have an idea. Hand the ball the official and leave the field. Forget the self-servings displays of any kind.

Problem, and five yards, solved.

[scott says]

NFL PING

FReepmail scott says to be added to, or to be taken off the NFL Ping list...

This is a fairly high volume ping list

[copaliscrossing]

hmmmm, Refs against the raiders...nothing new here.

I would say that this probably isn't religious discrimination but more like incompetent refs. The rule states that the player cannot go to the ground after a TOUCHDOWN or use the ball as a prop.

Last I checked, it was not a touchdown and I don't think he was even on the field at the time. IIRC he was out of the endzone. I think overall the refs have sucked big time the past few years and the NFL really needs to fix it or it will go the way of the WWF and the NBA.

[SkyDancer]

Same officiating against the Seahawks when they went to the Superbowl ....

[fantom]

Everyone knows god is a fan of the AFC . Well ok , maybe she has a crush on Brett .

[GreenLanternCorps]

The NO FUN LEAGUE strikes again.

[dfwgator]

And judging from the LSU-Georgia game, it’s spread to college as well.

[Michael.SF.]

Just Brett Favre. The clearest evidence we have on earth right now that there is a God”

I write a regular column for the local paper and was contemplating a column Sunday before last while watching the 49er vs. vikings game.

I was going to make a comment about athletes, such as Brent Farve, not knowing when to quit.

I changed my mind as the game went on, with the ending clinching the deal. Not one of my best judgmental moments.

[discostu]

Actually the rule says you can’t go to the ground or use the ball as a prop as part of your celebration, they don’t care why you’re celebrating.

[MarineBrat]

Same officiating against the Seahawks when they went to the Superbowl ....

Mmmmm... salty tears!