The NFL just continues to pile up bad publicity to their resume this season, this time for reasons other than a player committing a crime.
Last night, during a blowout against the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots, Hamza Abdullah got a chance to score the second touchdown of his career with an interception of Tom Brady.
As he scored he then went to his knees and bowed. If you are not familiar with this kind of motion, this is the way Muslims pray to Allah. He was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for the play, making it look like he had tried to show up his opponents by doing this.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say you won’t get flagged for kneeling and putting your hands together or pointing to the sky.
On his Twitter page he reacted to the flag cryptically while maintaining his pride in his religion.
ALLAHU AKBAR!!!!!!!!!!!
— Hamza Abdullah (@HamzaAbdullah21) September 30, 2014
JU HEARD!
Social networking went nuts and his agent had some stern words for the NFL.
“If the NFL tries to fine @HAbdullah39 for his TD celebration there’s going to be some problems.”
The NFL has responded to the play with a statement of their own.
Abdullah should not have been penalized. Officiating mechanic is not to flag player who goes to ground for religious reasons.
— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) September 30, 2014