Last Sunday Raiders cornerback Chris Johnson was flagged for excessive celebration after intercepting a pass against the Texans. His crime, per the David White of the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE:
(Blurriness adds to the drama, no?)
Falling on bended knee and lifting his hands toward the unretracted roof after his end-zone interception just before halftime. The back judge deemed it excessive celebrating and threw his flag. “I’m just getting on my knees giving my respect to God,” Johnson said. “I don’t see how that’s a personal foul or anything like that.
Follow: “Chris Johnson gave the same thanks after his three other career interceptions, all last season, and was not flagged.”
Okay, now for the fun part, thanks to Yardbarker blogger Alana G.
Mike Pereira, the NFL’s current VP of Officiating, on NFL Network visiting with Rich Eisen on September 10, 2009:
“There’s only going to be one time you’re going to be allowed to go one your knees … and that’s when you want to praise The Lord. If you do that, then I’m going to allow that because I do not want to be struck by lightning.”
Do I detect a modicum of inconsistency in the application of the excessive celebration rule as it pertains to the Raiders?
( … Carry on, your Excellency.)
11:34 pm on October 6th, 2009
Can the Islamic players roll out a rug at sundown?
Can Ben Roethlisberger wear a yarmulke on his helmet?
7:46 am on October 7th, 2009
Ben Roethlisberger is about as jewish as Shaquille O’Neal.
9:15 am on October 7th, 2009
Deangelo Hall does the same thing without getting flagged. Refs need to get on the same page.
10:32 am on October 7th, 2009
Brian Westbrook was flagged during the Eagles v. Giants playoff game last year. He was on one knee for a second with the ref right behind him holding onto his flag. The minute he went to two, out came the hankie.
3:39 pm on October 7th, 2009
agreed, they need to be consistent, starting to look like the NBA
1:47 pm on October 8th, 2009
why cant he or any other player just go praise the lord on the sideline and not cost his team 15 yards like a moron. oh wait i know because the camera isnt on them when they are on the sidelines. Can’t praise the lord unless everyone is watching
2:44 pm on October 8th, 2009
leave it at home; the lord doesn’t care about touchdowns or football games.