The NFL has cracked down on celebrations in 2016, but going to the ground to celebrate has been illegal for a few years. The only exception is for prayers, so Tajae Sharpe’s decision to take a quick end zone nap earned the Tennessee Titans a 15-yard penalty.
A Titans WR was penalized and fined because napping is not allowed in the NFL
Tajae Sharpe earned a 15-yard penalty and $12,154 fine for his napping celebration.
The exact wording of the rule via the NFL rulebook: “Players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations or demonstrations while on the ground.”
The NFL is serious enough about players not going to the ground that it gave Sharpe a $12,154 fine Friday.
Napping is not a new celebration, and similar ones have earned penalties and fines in the past. Just last year, wide receiver Stedman Bailey scored a touchdown for the St. Louis Rams and briefly pretended to nap while using the ball as a pillow.
At least Sharpe chose to take a nap in the end zone and not while driving like Tyler Thigpen or Denard Robinson. He also learned his lesson pretty quickly, and took a nap standing up after scoring a week later.
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