NFL Spokesperson Admits Player Should Not Have Been Penalized For Religious Gesture
By Steve Patterson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It was deep in the fourth quarter, the game mostly in hand, when Kansas City Chief's Safety Husain Abdullah turned an interception into a touchdown during this week's Monday Night Football.
Abdullah's interception was the nail in the Chiefs' 41-14 Victory over the New England Patriots, no one is disputing that.
After he scored, Abdullah slid into the end zone and bowing in a Salaat style Muslim prayer gesture. His knees on the ground, arms outstretched, head touching the turf.
NFL officials call a penalty unsportsmanlike conduct. Section 3, Article 1 (d) of the NFL rulebook state players are prohibited from any type of celebration while they're on the ground.
However, historically and traditionally, the NFL has made exceptions and outright exemptions for players who make religious gestures from the turf. We've all seen it dozens of times with no penalty even before it was made into a national symbol by former quarterback Tim Tebow.
"I think they're sending double standard messages out there," said NFL fan George Smith. "It's no different than a guy taking a knee, making a cross, kissing his hand and throwing it up to God."
Tuesday morning, the Council on American-Islamic Relations asked the NFL to clarify the penalty. The NFL responded.
NFL Spokesperson Michael Signora released this statement saying quote "Abdullah should not have been penalized. Officiating mechanic is not to flag player who goes to ground for religious reasons."
"We're happy that the NFL clarified the rule so that there's no perception of a double standard," said C.A.I.R Staff Attorney Ryan Tack-Hooper. "CAIR in the NFL have bigger problems than a penalty in a blowout game."
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