During the Monday Night Football game between the Patriots and Chiefs, the NFL provides more ammunition for its detractors when Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah was penalized for praying as his touchdown celebration. The No Fun League has been consistent on taking away everything that made the sport great with the wave of rules changes since Roger Goodell became dictator. Abdullah is a devout Muslim and this is the first recorded incident of him praying after scoring. Yet, when super-Christian Tim Tebow prayed after each touchdown, “Tebowing” became symbolic, damn near iconic.
Now could this be a religious thing? The league and some will say no, since it is a rule — Sec: 3 Unsportsmanlike Conduct – Article 1 under Taunting (d). However, the execution was, well, poorly executed. Also, peep this little gem from NFL rules expert Mike Pereira:
you’re not penalized for going to the ground to give praise after a TD
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) November 25, 2013
Guess the refs forgot that one caveat. Check out some of Twitter’s reactions below.
If the NFL tries to fine @HAbdullah39 for his TD celebration there’s going to be some problems.
— CJ LaBoy (@CJLaBoy) September 30, 2014
I suggest yall tweet at @nfl to complain about Abdullah being flagged for prostration of thanks. #PrayerHelpsNFL
— Dawud Walid (@DawudWalid) September 30, 2014
Abdullah said the ref didn’t say anything to him and he didn’t ask for an explanation because he was pretty sure it was for the slide.
— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) September 30, 2014
Seeing “Abdullah is Muslim” tweets. I’m Christian, but I don’t care what religion u are, should have a right to pray. Especially after a TD
— Ross Cooper (@GorillaMyscles) September 30, 2014
Wait. Abdullah got a penalty for sending salaat? For real?
— Kweli T. Hugs (@thetillshow) September 30, 2014
Husain Abdullah wasn’t penalized for praying. Husain Abdullah was penalized for his part in the embarrassment of NFL’s golden child.
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) September 30, 2014
KC player Abdullah get a 15 yard penalty for “UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT” for going to his knees celebrating a touchdown?! The NFL is laughable
— Andre Royo (@AndreRoyo) September 30, 2014
Fox News preparing a segment on the NFL’s war on prayer. Wait. His name is “Abdullah?” Never mind.
— Chris Andrews (@andrewssports) September 30, 2014
Abdullah is a practicing Muslim and he just got flagged for going to prayer formation. I’m sure refs didn’t know. But that ain’t cool.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) September 30, 2014
Wrong God. RT @Rio19: Did Abdullah seriously just get penalized for praying?!!!
— Almighty Ruler (@jfishSOTW) September 30, 2014
Abdullah was praying, not celebrating. Bad call.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) September 30, 2014
Good thing Tebow isn’t still in the NFL. Can’t imagine the blowback if he got a penalty for praying like Abdullah just did.
— Jen LC (@RegressedPDO) September 30, 2014
anybody else see @KCChiefs Husain Abdullah get a celebration penalty? praying toward Mecca is a penalty but crosses and kisses to God is OK?
— emily (@The_Blant) September 30, 2014
Wait, did they really flag Abdullah for praying in celebration? They never did that with Tebow
— Luther Manhole (@Yelix) September 30, 2014
