Why are Chiefs, other players flagged for TD celebrations? Here are the NFL’s rules
Two Chiefs were penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after touchdowns during their Christmas game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday: wide receiver Xavier Worthy and tight end Travis Kelce.
Worthy’s celebration consisted of him throwing items in a bag, like he was stealing presents and robbing the Pittsburgh crowd of their Christmas. A second angle revealed that he also lifted his jersey and may have mimicked flashing a weapon on his hip.
Kelce’s celebration saw him dunk the ball over the uprights, physically making contact with the post. His was a tribute to Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez.
The NFL has handed out quite a few penalties and fines over celebrations in the 2024-25 season, including team dance routines and players pulling out a bow and arrow during the game. This comes after the league announced in 2017 that they were relaxing flags on celebrations to allow players “more room to have fun after they make big plays.”
So why were Worthy and Kelce penalized? How much could their fine cost? Here are the rules behind these penalties.
Why were Xavier Worthy and Travis Kelce penalized?
The referee may have interpreted Worthy flashing his waistband as gun-related imagery, which has always been a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct. The act is known as a ”violent or offensive act,” according to the NFL’s player handbook.
Any celebration that resembles a violent act, like slashing your throat or pretending to shoot a gun, is a penalty, according to the NFL.
An October report by CBS Sports says the league issued at least 12 fines in the first two months of the season for what it deems “violent gestures,” totaling $154,720. Most of those fines were related to players mimicking a gun.
As for Kelce, this isn’t the first time he was penalized for dunking the ball over the goalpost. He received a penalty for the same thing in 2020 after scoring against the New York Jets.
Making contact with the upright has been illegal for more than a decade after then-New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham delayed a game by about 20 minutes when he dunked the ball and caused the posts to become uneven. So the NFL made the act illegal to prevent any future game delays.
How much are NFL players fined for celebrations?
Fines haven’t been revealed for Worthy or Kelce, but earlier fines around the league can show how much the players can expect to see reduced in their next game checks.
In Week 2, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London was fined $14,069 for appearing to shoot a large gun into the crowd following a touchdown. Jets receiver Allen Lazard was also fined $14,069 for shooting finger guns after a first down in Week 4.
The NFL fined Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase $19,697 for a touchdown celebration during Week 5, where he appeared to unholster a gun.
According to the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, the amount London and Hazard were fined was for first offenses, while Chase’s fine was more expensive because it was his second offense.
Kelce was previously fined $12,500 for his 2020 dunk. Whatever fine Kelce may receive for this one, Gonzalez has said he’ll foot the bill.
What celebrations are allowed in the NFL?
Not every celebration is an automatic penalty in the NFL.
Using the football as a prop, celebrating on the ground and group demonstrations are cleared under league policy. So are spiking and spinning the ball, as long as it isn’t directed at an opposing player
It’s always up to the referee’s discretion when a celebration turns into unsportsmanlike conduct.
Prolonged celebrations that delay the game will be penalized, as will these other actions:
- Sexually suggestive moves, like pelvic thrusts
- Taunting opponents, like pointing directly at a player
