Connect with us

Follow-up

Players are adapting to the taunting point of emphasis faster than expected

Players seem to be getting the message to stop taunting opponents.

Published

on

Embed from Getty Images

For 2021, the NFL Competition Committee issued a point of emphasis  directing the officials to strictly flag a player for unsportsmanlike conduct if they taunt an opponent, through words and actions that disrespect or demean.

At the time I predicted that players and coaches would adapt to the new emphasis point after a few bumps in the early weeks.

https://streamable.com/jpeqql

After Week 2, in which there were 8 taunting flags thrown, fans screamed, and we had competing “truths” between the Competition Committee and the NFL Players Association.

At the time I said that the players have to adapt to the new emphasis. Since the second week, there has been a dramatic drop in taunting fouls:

  • Week 1 – 2 taunting flags
  • Week 2 – 8 taunting flags
  • Week 3 – 2 taunting flags
  • Week 4 – 1 taunting flag (and, admittedly, that should be a 0)

These trends show that the players, as usual, are adapting to the NFL point of emphasis — similar to the point of emphasis for roughing the passer of a few years ago.

Now, we can still debate whether or not this point of emphasis is a good idea, but the data shows that players are getting the message and cutting out taunting actions … so far.

Mark Schultz is a high school football official, freelance writer and journalist. He first became interested in officiating when he was six years old, was watching a NFL game with his father and asked the fateful question, "Dad, what are those guys in the striped shirts doing?"

Advertisement
Advertisement