Baker Mayfield and Bucky Irving are victims of the NFL’s latest crusade that backs up its No Fun League nickname
Mayfield and Irving got docked by the NFL for a “violent gesture” and it makes absolutely no sense at all.
The NFL has been cracking down on in-game celebrations for the last couple of years, and Baker Mayfield and Bucky Irving just became victims of one of the league’s dumbest rules.
The Bucs stars were hit with fines for their “nose-wiping” gesture against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13. Per NFL rules, the nose wipe is considered a “violent gesture” and is deemed a fine-worthy celebration. The incident occurred after Irving’s third-quarter touchdown, and the running back was fined $6,349, while Mayfield was docked $14,491 since it wasn’t his first violation.
Even more detrimental is the fact that this can result in a 15-yard penalty if it’s called during the game. Meaning, it could give the opposition a crucial first down at some point in the game if an official throws the flag. That’s pretty substantial for something this innocuous.
Speaking of innocuousness, this is just straight-up silly. Lumping a nose wipe in with other violent gestures is ludicrous and completely out of context. That kind of gesture doesn’t even make the opposition mad, nor is it even pointed at them. It’s simply two teammates celebrating a play they made together.
This doesn’t even sniff of boasting, bragging, or rubbing it in the Cardinals’ faces. Again, it’s two guys having fun.
I can understand Vita Vea getting fined last year for pretending like he was shooting a sniper rifle, or whenever players do the throat slash, or even fire the fake bow and arrow into the crowd.
But this? It’s absolutely ridiculous, and the NFL comes off as petty as ever for it.
While it’s unfortunate for Mayfield, Irving, and all the other players across the league, I actually feel most sorry for the person — and/or persons — whose job is to know all these useless rules and watch games solely to enforce them. Not watching the game for the fun of it, as we do, but to dock guys’ money for things like this.
Either way, here’s to hoping something like this doesn’t get flagged during a crucial moment in the playoffs, or even the Super Bowl. That’s far from guaranteed, however, with how refereeing has gone so far this year. The NFL is setting itself up on a slippery slope that could lead to significant unintended consequences down the line.
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