As if the NFL needed another reminder of why it so desperately needs a media-training course.
USA TODAY Sports reported Thursday that the NFL Referees Association issued a news release concerning the penalty thrown on the Kansas City Chiefs' Husain Abdullah, saying that the NFL originally graded the officials' flag as the correct call.
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The NFLRA release stated that the reason for the flag against Abdullah, who is Muslim, was his initial slide after scoring a defensive touchdown on an interception against the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football, rather than for the prayer itself.
"Both the officials and the player involved in the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty were not confused as to why a flag was thrown. The player was flagged, correctly, for the slide on his knees in the end zone, not for going to the ground in a prayerful gesture," said retired referee and former NFLRA president Scott Green in the release. "On field officials are aware of the prayer provision and respect the right of players of all faiths to express themselves."
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On Tuesday, Michael Signora, NFL Vice President of Football Communications, stated that a flag should not have been thrown on Abdullah.
He reiterated the NFL's position to USA TODAY Sports but said the league does not downgrade an official who makes a mistake on a close call.
"As part of evaluating the performance of our game officials, the officiating supervisors recognize that for an incorrect call on a close judgment play the official may have used appropriate reasoning. On such a call, the official is not downgraded," he said.
Signora added, "With regard to Husain Abdullah, a player who goes to the ground as part of religious expression should not be penalized. While he did slide immediately before beginning his prayer, this was not a correct call and the play should not have resulted in a penalty."
The NFL, however, might have considered including Signora's explanation Thursday when it allowed him to comment on the matter Tuesday morning - instead of throwing the NFLRA and the Monday Night Football officials under the bus.
Do you think the NFL could have been more supportive of the officiating crew that called a flag on Kansas City Chiefs defender Husain Abdullah for his touchdown prayer? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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