Week 5 WTF Moments in the NFL
WTF?!
That is what most fans and media are saying when a player gets fined for a celebratory dance, or wearing what is deemed as “non-NFL attire”. They are also saying it when a player is trying to use their platform to individualize a worthy cause (i.e.breast cancer, mental health, etc) and bring awareness to it, but the league says, “No”.
Now if the player chooses to sit out the National Anthem, or do a “hands up, don’t shoot” pose, then the league’s position is, “well it’s about their rights and freedom of expression”.
Again, WTF? (Note: I’m not saying that the act is right or wrong, or taking a position either way, but when did the NFL all of a sudden decide to honor one’s individuality?)
You’ve heard the phrase or hashtag “No Fun League” as a way to describe the NFL acronym: well let’s take a look at a couple of WTF moments of the past week (actually the first 4 games of the season), and see if we can stop shaking our heads in confusion.
I doubt it, but lets give it a shot, shall we?
Antonio Brown fined for “twerking”
In the first game of the season, Antonio Brown did a celebratory TD “Twerking Dance” in the end zone, and was flagged for Unsportsmanlike Conduct. He was later fined in the range of $10,000.
WTF??
The very next week, WR Emmanuel Sanders, formerly of the Steelers and now a Denver Bronco, did the same thing.
Can't see nobody stopping us – we're unstoppable ! @God_Son80 @ESanders_10
Who did it better tho ?? https://t.co/E3EFlQXhFk
— AB (@AB84) September 30, 2016
No flag.
No fine.
He even took to Twitter saying, “Why is Steeler Nation mad I didn’t get fined?”
why are Steelers fans so upset I didn't get fined? Lol I don't understand the logic behind wanting a man to get fined for dancing. #ohwell
— Emmanuel Sanders (@ESanders_10) October 1, 2016
Well maybe because of the inconsistency?
Last week, Antonio Brown was fined for his celebration again, which was far less suggestive than in Week 1.
Antonio Brown said he is going to appeal the $24,309 fine for his hip-thrust TD dance. #Steelers
— Chris Mueller (@bychrismueller) October 7, 2016
Antonio Brown fined for shoes
In the 2nd game of the season, AB wore Blue cleats with his children’s faces emblazoned on them, to remind him of how important family is.
Again, he was fined $9,000 for the “Non-Football” unapproved uniform.
WTF??
Brandon Marshall of the Jets, wore lime green cleats for Mental Health awareness.
No fine.
https://twitter.com/meganKarmstrong/status/776589864477204481
Apparently, Brown was threatened by game officials at halftime and given an ultimatum: change the shoes, or remain in the locker room.
That might be the only consistency, as Marshall also changed shoes at half:
Brandon Marshall changed cleats during halftime. @PhilHecken @UniWatch pic.twitter.com/TAaDOw8bvT
— Matthew Whitney (MAcc) (@MWhitney71) September 16, 2016
Ben doesn’t get the same calls as other QB’s
Against the Chiefs, Big Ben was being tackled, sacked or whatever you want to call a 4-man Chief’s rush to try and get him down in the pocket.
The whistle blew, and for a few more long seconds, Ben stood still… before he was taken to the ground, and laid on top of, by Chiefs rookie Chris Jones (who was not in the original play!).
@_BigBen7 gets NO RESPECT!
Watch KC 95, not in the original play, come in and throw Ben to the ground!
NO FLAG! #Steelers pic.twitter.com/qzL7gchxTd— 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 (@steelcityundrgr) October 4, 2016
WTF??
Where is the roughing the passer call?
The whistle blew, play over, and KC is still allowed to take him to the ground?
Coach Tomlin, yelling from the sideline could not believe it either.
If this was Brady or Rogers: the flags would have been thrown!
No penalty for OBJ
In the NY Giants game on Monday Night Football, Odell Beckham Jr. was seen on National TV taking his helmet off, while on the field, following a play.
Removing your helmet is supposed to be a 15 yard penalty, but it was not called.
Later the official said, “We knew he was frustrated.”
WTF??
Seriously?
Even NFL VP of Officiating, Dean Blandino commented that, yes, that should have been a penalty.
Wrapping up
These moments in the NFL, do not just have us scratching our heads, saying “WTF” but how can the policies and rules that are supposed to apply to all players, only be applied to one or a few?
If the league expects the players to have some accountability for their actions, shouldn’t the league be held accountable, when they are not consistent in enforcing these rules?
Stay tuned for Week 5 WTF moments as we highlight some of these ridiculous happenings on the field each week.
If you have any WTF NFL moments, feel free to let us know via Facebook, Twitter, etc. and we will try and feature them here. (I am sure we all can come up with plenty!)
