It’s been my experience that the folks who govern these sorts of athletic boards are some of the most hidebound, humorless bleeps you’ll find.
As for the decision, I think it sucks...though I do generally see why the rule about hand gestures is in place. Low-class “in yo’ face!” crap is part and parcel of a lot of athletics these days, and not just at the pro level. It’s just a real shame a kid who pretty clearly wasn’t taunting anybody (and in fact, was being rather humble by thanking God) is a victim of a “one size fits all” regulation without any real immediate recourse but to take it on the chin.
a liberal is someone who stays up at night worrying that somewhere, someplace, sombody is happy.
(reagan said that or words to that effect)