on social media, as he states that he believes that he was penalized for "sliding" (ala soccer style after a goal) instead of the praying. Who knows exactly why the official threw the flag, but if it was for sliding, I don't see a big deal.
Quote:
Abdullah is a devout Muslim. After Monday's game, he told reporters that he thought the referees were flagging him for the slide, not prostrating in sajdah -- a common Muslim practice.
"For me, I just got a little too excited," Abdullah said, according to the Kansas City Star. "I think it was for the slide."
Chiefs coach Andy Reid acknowledged as much when Abdullah came to the sideline after his pick-six gave Kansas City a 41-7 lead early in the fourth quarter.
"He said, 'You can't slide,'" the sixth-year free safety said.
If so, then this is definitely a penalty under those rules. I think making exceptions to the rules just for religious reasons is stupid, whether it's a prayer to Allah, Tebowing or anything else.
to crack down on endzone celebrations. Besides this one I saw about 3 or 4 guys flagged for them. Honestly I don't think it was about religion, it was about cracking down on endzone celebrations in general...
other end zone he would have turned around and prayed towards the field? What if the stadium is aligned north south instead of east west, which way do you go then? Those were facetious but seriously, how do Muslims always know which way to pray when they are in a new place? Carry a compass?
To avoid this when I am running in for a touchdown
other end zone he would have turned around and prayed towards the field? What if the stadium is aligned north south instead of east west, which way do you go then? Those were facetious but seriously, how do Muslims always know which way to pray when they are in a new place? Carry a compass?
Quickest way I have found to discovering which way is which is knowing the time of day and looking at the sun.
Its not the refs fault. Its the leagues fault. Theyve created this everythings a penalty culture in the game. They should feel the heat when it backfires.
This is a complete non issue if not for the idiotic
is get rid of stupid penalties that add nothing to the fairness of play. There are too many flags in the average game already, why police and penalize celebrations after scores?
Did the official even know that he was praying otherwise? Does anyone believe that the official thought, "oh, there will be no praying to a muslim god in my endzone, so I'll throw the flag". Also, when a guy gets down on one knee in the end zone, I have no idea if he is praying or if that position is simply his low-key way to celebrate the TD.
I think the excessive celebration rule came into being
because it was causing some fights on the field. I remember the Redskins' recievers doing a little ceremony in the end zone back in the 80s which caused some fights. I think it stems from that. Plus, it generally is not good sportsmanship to taunt an opponent and an excessive celebration can be a form of taunting.
but it sounds as if the flag was a mistake and not because of the rule per se. It was a judgment error by the ref and the Tebow comment in the article (and here) was gratuitous BS, IMO
other end zone he would have turned around and prayed towards the field? What if the stadium is aligned north south instead of east west, which way do you go then? Those were facetious but seriously, how do Muslims always know which way to pray when they are in a new place? Carry a compass?
A qibla arrow or compass always points you to Mecca. Natural features like the sun and stars help. So does a lifetime of experience. t's not terribly hard to figure it out.
The penalty was bullshit and we were talking about it last night. The refs need to have a modicum of discretion in that situation.
There was a good movie called Four Lions where these British wannabe jihadis cross the latitudinal line of Mecca and have to figure out which way is which. One of the characters has a very difficult time accepting this.
other end zone he would have turned around and prayed towards the field? What if the stadium is aligned north south instead of east west, which way do you go then? Those were facetious but seriously, how do Muslims always know which way to pray when they are in a new place? Carry a compass?
Since it is such an important part of this religion, I believe it's something he would have looked up ahead of time. I've read that it is common for a Muslim to look this up prior to traveling to a different location.
The dude was praying. Two years ago he was invited to the White House to celebrate Romadon (sorry for the spelling error). Did Tebow ever drop on one knee on the field to pray? I know he did on the sideline. I wonder what is next? The team scores a touchdown and 6 players place their prayer towels on the 50 yd line to thank Allah. The games are too long now. No disrespect intended toward Christianity or Islam. Play the game and pray later....
Celebration penalties are absolutely terrible. They can basically do whatever they want after scoring a goal in soccer. No fights and absolutely no problems at all.
Correct. Should have said towards.
"For me, I just got a little too excited," Abdullah said, according to the Kansas City Star. "I think it was for the slide."
Chiefs coach Andy Reid acknowledged as much when Abdullah came to the sideline after his pick-six gave Kansas City a 41-7 lead early in the fourth quarter.
"He said, 'You can't slide,'" the sixth-year free safety said.
Link - ( New Window )
I thought this was America! Huh? Isn't this America? I'm sorry, I thought this was America.
If they aren't in the face of the opponent taunting them then it shouldn't be a penalty. The NFL has gotten way too flag happy.
If they aren't in the face of the opponent taunting them then it shouldn't be a penalty. The NFL has gotten way too flag happy.
Taunting and delays of game should be penalized in post-TD celebrations, but otherwise let them have fun.
Did the official even know that he was praying otherwise? Does anyone believe that the official thought, "oh, there will be no praying to a muslim god in my endzone, so I'll throw the flag". Also, when a guy gets down on one knee in the end zone, I have no idea if he is praying or if that position is simply his low-key way to celebrate the TD.
A qibla arrow or compass always points you to Mecca. Natural features like the sun and stars help. So does a lifetime of experience. t's not terribly hard to figure it out.
The penalty was bullshit and we were talking about it last night. The refs need to have a modicum of discretion in that situation.
There was a good movie called Four Lions where these British wannabe jihadis cross the latitudinal line of Mecca and have to figure out which way is which. One of the characters has a very difficult time accepting this.
Since it is such an important part of this religion, I believe it's something he would have looked up ahead of time. I've read that it is common for a Muslim to look this up prior to traveling to a different location.