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The league sent a memo to clubs this week reminding them that it will continue until players change their behavior.
Over the course of the season, the impact of the points of emphasis fades as players adjust and league officials get more satisfied with the results. In the past three weeks, nearly half of the total penalties have been called. There have been 35 taunting flags this season, tied for the most through 10 weeks since at least 2000. That includes 16 weeks in a row.
"Appropriate celebration, enthusiasm and sharing great moments with our teammates and fans is encouraged," the NFL senior vice president of officiating training and development said in an accompanying video. The emphasis by the NFL to discourage acts of taunting or disrespect when you direct actions toward an opponent or his bench will continue. The officials are told to call fouls on actions that show disrespect.
The league implemented a point of emphasis on taunting this season, and many coaches have spoken in favor of it, including the Pittsburgh Steelers' Mike Tomlin, the Indianapolis Colts' Frank Reich and the Chicago Bears' Matt Nagy. The New Orleans Saints coach told "The Dan Patrick Show" on Thursday that he thought the foul was being overblown.
Anderson praised Watt for his sack celebrations, in which he ran in the opposite direction of his opponent. The league is attempting to root out what Anderson and senior vice president ofOfficiants Perry Fewell said was in the video. There was a clip of Bears defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. pointing a finger at Packers quarterback Rodgers.
Anderson said in the video that you should avoid any actions where you approach an opponent or his bench and gesture, posture or otherwise demonstrate disrespect. Turn away. Don't put officials in the position of having to make a judgement about whether or not your actions rise to the level of a foul if you celebrate with your teammates. Don't put yourself or your team at risk of a penalty by removing all doubt.
The video did not include the controversial decision by referee Tony Corrente to penalize Bears pass-rusher Cassius Marsh for taunting after a key fourth-quarter sack in the Bears' 29-27 loss to the Steelers in Week 9, but Fewell had previously announced his support for the decision. Anderson said in the video that the emphasis against taunting is in line with setting a better example for other levels of football.
He said that when youth see us playing and showing up an opponent, that sends the message that such behavior is okay. We don't want to promote that message for our game.
