Whiskey Tango Foxtrot...

[Mike P]

The kid's big mistake was doing it at the 22. It could be interpreted as a "nyah, nyah, you can't catch me" gesture. If he waited until the 5, I think that they would have let it go.

In the abstract, the call looks excessive. But--did he get flagged earlier in the game for taunting, as numbskull reported on the other site? Did the refs take the coaches and captains aside before the kick-off and warn about stuff like this, as I've also heard? Is there a prior "history" between these two teams, from a time when they were in the same conference? Or did one of the teams have a similar problem during the first play-off round game?

Refs don't generally take coaches and captains aside before a game and read them the riot act about taunting and premature celebrations, if that's what happened.

[Backbeach Jake]

If you can't give the opposition a little dig here and there then there is no reason to play the game. Football is war ritualized. There's gonna be and should be hurt feelings.

[MarshCappa]

Originally Posted by Mike P

The kid's big mistake was doing it at the 22. It could be interpreted as a "nyah, nyah, you can't catch me" gesture. If he waited until the 5, I think that they would have let it go.

In the abstract, the call looks excessive. But--did he get flagged earlier in the game for taunting, as numbskull reported on the other site? Did the refs take the coaches and captains aside before the kick-off and warn about stuff like this, as I've also heard? Is there a prior "history" between these two teams, from a time when they were in the same conference? Or did one of the teams have a similar problem during the first play-off round game?

Refs don't generally take coaches and captains aside before a game and read them the riot act about taunting and premature celebrations, if that's what happened.

Exactly Mike. I heard a couple of the parents from both teams on the radio last night and the kid was flagged earlier that game for the same thing on a non scoring play though. The play in question took place with over 6 minutes left in the game and they had 2 more opportunities to score and on the last opportunity that QB threw an INT. The more I read and hear about this the more I side with the official as hard as it is for to do being a former out of control athlete that loved to taunt and get inside the heads of other players.

[nightfighter]

Still think it's a crappy call. The rules suck, and the fact that they have to have such rules suck. Commentary on our society, I guess, on both the taunters and the tauntees.... It was our form of gladiators. The chit that happens and is said on the line and on the field is part of the game, at least it was. It is not always nice. I have been on the receiving end as well. Have to have played to appreciate I guess. Some of today's infractions and "acts" are over the top, I give you that. But watching the NHL highlights last night, I was struck by the raising of sticks after every goal... Only a matter of time before some group starts calling for that to be banned as taunting.... Another example of the woosification of America.

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

Still think it's a crappy call. The rules suck, and the fact that they have to have such rules suck. Commentary on our society, I guess, on both the taunters and the tauntees.... It was our form of gladiators. The chit that happens and is said on the line and on the field is part of the game, at least it was. It is not always nice. I have been on the receiving end as well. Have to have played to appreciate I guess. Some of today's infractions and "acts" are over the top, I give you that. But watching the NHL highlights last night, I was struck by the raising of sticks after every goal... Only a matter of time before some group starts calling for that to be banned as taunting.... Another example of the woosification of America.

Well said, Ross. The refs shouldn't determine the outcome of the game, the players should. What's next, they disallow a goal in hockey if a player pumps their fist or they don't count a basket in basketball if a player high fives a teammate after a nice shot?

[redcrbbr]

spoke with a good friend whose son played in the game for blue hills and was at the game. that was the second time cathedral was penalized for taunting or showing emotion. doesn't make it right, but i guess you have to feel the pain before you learn.