NFL SVP Of Officiating Defends Monday Night Football Taunting Penalty
Before the start of the 2021 season, the NFL made it a point of emphasis to remove taunting from the game.
“The N.F.L. Players Association, coaches and competition committee have all made a strong statement regarding respect among everyone on the field,” the league said in August in its annual rule changes and points of emphasis video. “We saw an increase in actions that clearly are not within the spirit and intent of this rule and not representative of the respect to opponents and others on the field.”
There have been numerous examples of refs taking the crackdown too far, essentially taking the passion out of the game of football.
On Monday night, it all came to a head with a brutal taunting penalty called against Chicago Bears linebacker Cassius Marsh.
With a little over three minutes to play in the fourth quarter and the Steelers up three, the Bears got the play they needed, stopping Pittsburgh on third down on Marsh’s sack of Ben Roethlisberger. Marsh performed his patented sack celebration — a karate kick — before taking a few steps toward the Steelers sideline. As he ran back toward his own sideline, he made contact with referee Tony Corrente, who threw a flag for taunting, giving Pittsburgh a new set of downs.
Between this super late taunting penalty, intentionally bumping Cassius Marsh and that bogus low block call Tony Corrente needs to be investigated.
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) November 9, 2021
Members of the media and fans reacted with indignation to the call, questioning what Marsh did to warrant a taunting penalty.
On Wednesday, NFL senior vice president of officiating Perry Fewell explained the call.
“In Chicago versus Pittsburgh, Bears No. 59 is penalized for taunting,” Fewell explained in a video posted to Twitter. “He takes several steps toward the Pittsburgh bench, posturing toward their sideline. Taunting is a point of emphasis to promote sportsmanship and respect for opponents. This was recommended by the competition committee and coaches.”
SVP of @NFL Officiating Perry Fewell covers plays from Week 9: pic.twitter.com/vXZzsnup46
— NFL Officiating (@NFLOfficiating) November 10, 2021
Marsh told reporters after the game that Corrente “hip-checked” him, calling it “inappropriate.”
“On my way to the sideline, I got hip-checked by the ref. It’s pretty clear,” Marsh said after the game. “If I was to do that to a ref or even touch a ref, we get kicked out of the game and possibly suspended and fined. I just think
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