No Fun League

[CPsinceDay1]

Football fans were vocally upset on Twitter, Sunday, after seeing the new NFL taunting rules implemented during the first week of the preseason. A call on Indianapolis Colts running back Benny LeMay, in particular, made the rounds online.

During the 3rd quarter of the Colts matchup with the Carolina Panthers, LeMay broke free on a run that ended with him carrying a pile of defenders for about 10 extra yards. Afterward, he subtly flexed in front of the defenders and a flag was thrown.

"Just awful no one wants this," one fan wrote. "If you cant flex on em after dragging dudes 10 yards why even play?"

A Colts beat writer wrote: "No Fun League strikes again with a taunting penalty against fourth-string RB Benny LeMay, who had the audacity to be excited about his 14-yard run."

The increased effort to crack down on taunting, this year, will target “baiting or taunting acts or words” and “abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures," according to the NFL’s unsportsmanlike conduct rules.

“The N.F.L. Players Association, coaches and competition committee have all made a strong statement regarding respect among everyone on the field,” the NFL recently said in a statement. “We saw an increase in actions that clearly are not within the spirit and intent of this rule and not representative of the respect to opponents and others on the field.”

So we can’t show emotion? https://t.co/WyvHtYVVS2

— Tyler Lockett (@TDLockett12) August 15, 2021

NFL: Fans crushed the ref, NFL for lame taunting call against Colts RB (usatoday.com)

 

 

[Ricky Spanish]

yeah that was soft. 

dude earned the right to show some fire, he ran through like 8 dudes. 

[Cdparr7]

1 minute ago, Ricky Spanish said:

yeah that was soft. 

dude earned the right to show some fire, he ran through like 8 dudes. 

I’m for relaxing the taunting penalties. But also need to relax the helmet/helmet and roughing the passer penalties. 
 

Reset everything to the early 2000s minus the tuck rule.

[CPsinceDay1]

4 minutes ago, Ricky Spanish said:

yeah that was soft. 

dude earned the right to show some fire, he ran through like 8 dudes. 

right....so I take it Burns can't hit his Spidey pose after a sack strip fumble.....

[YourLastThought]

2 hours ago, CPsinceDay1 said:

right....so I take it Burns can't hit his Spidey pose after a sack strip fumble.....

No I'm sure that would be seen as he might hurt someones precious feelings. The RB who flexed is still a head scratcher for a penalty. I don't get it? Absolutely ridiculous. 

[bigskypanthersguy]

2 hours ago, CPsinceDay1 said:

right....so I take it Burns can't hit his Spidey pose after a sack strip fumble.....

Ruining the game with "fixes" that don't actually fix anything.

[DaveThePanther2008]

The penalty was because he directed his excitement over a player.  If he had just gotten up did his flex and not directed it at another player I don't believe the penalty would have been called.

It's one thing to show excitement it's another to do it over your opponent.

There were several hits/celebrations, from both sides, like this during the game but only one that was directed at another player. 

[Ready 2 Win]

I thought that was a bit harsh, but I was under the impression the penalty was because of what he said and not the flex. 

[BurnNChinn]

Smitty said he would have been paying a lot of fines if he had to play under today’s rules. Lol

[Al Morgan]

Flexing, bragging and talking $h|t on your own
vs
Flexing, bragging and talking $h|t while facing/directed at an opponent

Also, the penalty name is pretty clear. Flexing and shouting, not directed at another player, is not the definition for "taunting".
The rule has been in place for several years, it just wasn't enforced enough.
For reference, Cam's celebration against the Titans, even if dragged for a little bit too long, was not taunting.

[ForJimmy]

Oh man I believe Horn loves taunting the other players. I expect him to draw a few of these flags out of habit. What a meaningless rule…

[MikeD83]

That is Charlotte native, Butler High grad, and Charlotte 49ers legend Benny Lemay. Hope he gets a chance to play somewhere. 

Edited August 16, 2021 by MikeD83

[Jaxel]

I thought it might be because of something he said, not the flexing. Maybe I'm wrong though.

[KSpan]

5 hours ago, DaveThePanther2008 said:

The penalty was because he directed his excitement over a player.  If he had just gotten up did his flex and not directed it at another player I don't believe the penalty would have been called.

It's one thing to show excitement it's another to do it over your opponent.

There were several hits/celebrations, from both sides, like this during the game but only one that was directed at another player. 

Looked to me like he was turning away from the guy, though it did start while he was facing him. If the NFL wants to call it this way then whatever, but this one was fringe.