Then I have a problem with the penalty then.
The way this was presented initially when it ran was that the player didn’t relinquish the ball to the ref. If the penalty was for the action, then what difference does it make if he does it before he gives the ball to the ref or afterwards.
So if the penalty is for the action, while he still holds the ball, why is that? Because the play is not yet over?
The player brought attention to himself, he’s given a penalty...but would not have been given a penalty had he relinquished the ball. Makes no sense.
If you go back and look at commentary by various officials in this particular league, they talk about the continuity of the game being delayed.
So maybe you’re right, maybe I’m right. I grant you that kneeling for 3 seconds should not constitute a delay, but that’s how they presented it.
Here’s the bottom line for me. For HS sports and probably college too, you score a touchdown, you give the ball to the ref, drop it on the ground..etc. You do any kind of taunting, drawing added attention to yourself, actions that rub it in to the other team, obscene gesture...and it’s a penalty while you’re still on the field of play.
Or are we not in agreement on that this should have been a penalty?
Frankly, I'm OK with it being called, as long as they are that strict on everything, AND the issue is holding onto the ball.
I do draw a distinction between a very brief humble gesture (after relinquishing the ball), such as kneeling to thank God, or turning to wave at your family in the stands and mouthing "Thank you" to your Dad, as opposed to doing back flips.
If they want to prohibit show boating, they should write the rule accordingly, as delay of game doesn't really cover it. A player who tosses the ball to the ref and then does a dance is still show boating. While a player that says, "Thank you" in a humble fashion is not. But by all means be as strict as you want about the need to relinquish the ball at the end of a play, and also feel free to call "Delay of Game" against a long prayer IF the game is actually delayed (defined by the ref being ready to commence the next play and the player being on the wrong side of the line of scrimmage).
I coach middle school athletics as a volunteer and I have a lot of tolerance for the foibles of officiating. Far too much of it is subjective. Refs are people and their subjective decisions often go in a certain direction, or are based on the need to appear balanced. Perhaps the opposing team had gotten a "delay of game" for show boating, which they contested, and this ref felt bound to prove that he was even handed. I tell my kids that life isn't fair and referees aren't perfect so "deal with it". Only if I have a particularly egregious ref will I pow wow with them and take it up with division (about once per season).