Certain NFL celebrations among players will be coming to a stop in 2025.
Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent made it very clear on Tuesday that the league will double down on sportsmanship during the 2025 season.
Vincent relayed that violent gestures are up 133 percent, and sexual taunting is up 52 percent.
🚨NEWS: #NFL REFS WILL BE VERY STRICT, CRACKING DOWN ON CELEBRATIONS IN 2025
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 1, 2025
There has been a 133% increase in “violent gestures” & a 52% rise in “sexual taunting”
“It just has no place in the game”
On the nose wipe celly:
“That has gang connotations; it’s disrespectful”
WOW pic.twitter.com/Q1kQinWzbv
“It just has no place in the game,” Vincent said. “We have clear video examples we’ll share with the players and about just what it means to be a professional at all times.”
Vincent also made it clear that many players are not to blame for certain NFL celebrations being banned, but new rules had to be established before things truly got out of hand.
“We’re focusing on a small fraction [of players], but sportsmanship is important. . . . When you see it, you’ve got to kill it. You’ve got to stop it immediately. Most players don’t want it in the game either.”
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
NFL Celebrations Like CeeDee Lamb’s Nose-Wipe Is Banned
The NFL wants its players to show better sportsmanship as league executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent explained why the league is cracking down on certain celebrations in 2025, including one popularized by Dallas Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb.
The NFL often stands for the “No Fun League,” and last season, it cracked down hard on celebrations.
Some players received 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalties for pointing forward after gaining a first down because their actions looked like finger guns.
Well, the NFL has redefined its rules for unsportsmanlike celebrations and gestures. Now, a new rule change prohibits players from using any violent gesture, including “a throat slash, simulating firing or brandishing a gun, or using the ‘nose wipe’ gesture, or an act that is sexually suggestive or offensive.”
Any player who violates the new policy will receive a 15-yard penalty.
The “nose wipe” NFL celebration was specifically called out and banned by the NFL due to its “gang connotations.”
Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb took to social media to voice his displeasure at the rule.
Also Read: NFL Is Reportedly Banning Another Popular Celebration That Will Leave Many Fans & Players Pissed Off
