NFL VP Troy Vincent, one of the league’s most powerful executives, said in advance of the owner’s meeting, which starts on Sunday in Florida, that sportsmanship on the field needs to improve this season.
“Sportsmanship is a critical topic, one where we just saw throughout the season that we are not where we want to be professionally,” Vincent said. “As a former player, and as players, you know when you crossed the line. The game has always been about sportsmanship, but we saw a couple of actions, like violent gestures, that were up significantly (last season).
“Taunting was also up significantly. In other areas, the penalty count was down, including on defenseless players. We did a really nice job there. We were down significantly on use-of-helmet. But sportsmanship is something we all agree – the Players Association, coaches – that we want to make sure that everyone is respecting one another as they play the game.”
One example of unsportsmanlike behavior that the league is banning is players wiping their nose after making a big play. It has been deemed a “violent gesture” celebration with gang connections.
And the NFL feels the “nose wipe” is an example of not “respecting one another as they play the game.”
Players will now get a 15-yard penalty for this gesture.
****
To subscribe to the one and only Jets Confidential Magazine, a must-read for the informed Jets fans, click on an option below . . .
