NFL taunting must be celebrated, not penalized

The topic of taunting is again on the menu. On Sunday it was Zay Flowers’ flip, when the Ravens receiver was critically flagged within the second half for taunting Chiefs’ DB L’Jarius Sneed.

And sure, to be one hundred pc clear: This was completely taunting by the letter of the legislation.

The issue is that this legislation sucks. This rule is inherently flawed. It’s been problematic since its inception, and now simply winds up being annoying. The precise definition of “taunting” in response to the NFL rulebook is as follows:

“Utilizing baiting or taunting acts or phrases that will engender in poor health will between groups.”

There may be completely little doubt that pushing a participant down who’s making an attempt to stand up, whereas jawing at him is certainly taunting. Nonetheless, the NFL rule is so unfastened that we may completely make the argument that Travis Kelce pointing downfield after each first down match the definition of taunting as effectively.

Picture by Patrick Smith/Getty Pictures

Is Kelce baiting a response with this? Sure. Is he taunting his opposition for not stopping him? Completely. Ought to any of this be unsuitable? Hell no. Gamers within the league have completely no downside with taunting on either side, as a result of it’s within the DNA of soccer itself.

When you’re taking part in within the schoolyard, you taunt. When you’re tossing the ball round on the seaside, you taunt. When you get slightly carried away on Thanksgiving and stiff arm your uncle Clarence into oblivion, tearing his argyle sweater within the course of — you taunt. A few of the best athletes of our time understood the psychological energy of taunting. Larry Chicken and Michael Jordan stated issues so viscous they’d make the typical particular person cry. Deion Sanders pranced to the tip zone like a gazelle, mocking his opponents alongside the best way. Heck, even baseball permits for bat flips to be settled between the gamers as god supposed — which is why we’re firmly “Staff Burrow” within the taunting dialogue.

Let the blokes taunt.

The argument in opposition to taunting appears rooted in selective pearl clutching. That kids watching skilled athletes mock one another will one way or the other have an irrevocable impact on their lives. Simply pay no thoughts to the truth that a child watching the NFL on Sunday is explicitly advised by promoting that quick meals is required to look at soccer, beer makes recreation day higher, and playing is a manner so as to add pleasure to sports activities.

It’s completely nice to inform youngsters that unhealthy meals, alcohol and playing are nice for them — as long as they don’t see an athlete flex on somebody after an enormous sack.

If something, it’s my perception that we want to reveal youth to the professionals and cons of taunting. Heck, that’s what we obtained on Sunday. Flowers taunted Sneed, and later Sneed punched the ball out on the objective line, sealing the Ravens’ destiny. It was the last word comeuppance, and one has to ponder if Sneed wouldn’t have gone so exhausting, made that particular play if he wasn’t flexed on a half hour earlier. It typifies actions having penalties, and a lesson we are able to truly share. Certain, go forward and mock your opponent — however don’t cry when it goes unhealthy for you later.

As an alternative the NFL frequently feels the necessity to police these items. That probably the most violent sport on earth, with gladiators crashing into one another with the drive of a automobile accident, isn’t sufficient to “engender in poor health will,” however pointing after a play? Buddy that’s the place we’ve obtained the draw the road.

You don’t want to love taunting to just accept that these form of private battles function subplots for a recreation, and that makes soccer higher. It establishes persona in a league desirous of homogeny. It provides us extra heroes, extra villains, extra funding. Get the refs out of the sport and …

Let the blokes taunt.