NFL players, be warned, the No Fun League is back. Players and fans got a taste of the league's new taunting rules when the Indianapolis Colts squared off with the Carolina Panthers in their opening preseason encounter. And the reaction was not positive.
Benny LeMay, an undrafted running back of the Colts, got on the field in the fourth quarter against the Panthers and was eager to show his talent and impress the Indianapolis coaching staff in his first career NFL preseason game. After rushing for eight yards in his previous run attempt, the Colts decided to go to LeMay the following play to convert a first down on a 2nd-and-2 play.
LeMay's powerful effort not rewarded after taunting penalty
LeMay did more than just that, breaking numerous tackles and dragging several Panthers defenders for a monster 14-yard gain to give the Colts a first down in their own half. That was no easy feat, especially for a guy who stands just 5-foot-8 tall and weighs 220 pounds. LeMay yelled in delight as he looked down on the man who failed to stop him for several yards before walking away.
This is an example of the taunting the league doesn't want to see in games. Just happened in the #Panthers-#Colts game.pic.twitter.com/Tu70GjBxwU
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 15, 2021
That celebration seemed fair given the circumstances. However, the referees had a different opinion, throwing a yellow flag for a taunting penalty on LeMay, denying the running back a signature play on his preseason debut just because of his passionate celebration against Carolina Panthers linebacker Josh Bynes.
LeMay finished the game with 26 rushing yards and a score in the Indianapolis Colts' 21-18 victory over the Cleveland Browns. His most important contribution, though, was that he started an important discussion regarding the league's new taunting rules weeks before the start of the actual season.
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McKay explains the thought process behind the new taunting rules
So why is the NFL doing this again? According to competition committee chairman Rich McKay, "the NFL Players Association, coaches and competition committee saw an increase in actions that clearly are not within the spirit and intent of this rule and not representative of respect due opponents and others on the field."
McKay added in the video that game officials have now been instructed to enforce the taunting rules in NFL games strictly. He said a player who has committed two taunting penalties in a game will be automatically disqualified and may be fined and/or suspended depending on the severity of his actions on the field.
The league decided to emphasize the taunting rules after an incident in Super Bowl LV where Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. mocked Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, flashing two fingers in his face during the latter stages of the one-sided contest.
Winfield got a 15-yard penalty and a $7,815 fine for his taunt that he said was well worth it. Expect the league to hand out more fines this season as they try to suck all the joy out of this beautiful sport.
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