The NFL penalizes bad celebrations as much as it penalizes dangerous hits

Let’s take a look at a pair of flags in Colts-Jaguars to determine what the NFL considers its priorities.

The first foul here was for a bad hit by Indianapolis’ D’Qwell Jackson. Jackson laid a high hit on receiver Allen Robinson, who was already engaged with another defender. Was it the worst hit of all time? No. But it was an unnecessary hit that could’ve caused a concussion to a player who was already on his way to the ground. It was exactly the type of needless hit the NFL is trying to outlaw to make the game safer.

The second foul was on Robinson, who stood up and spun the ball. Nobody cared at all about this. The Colts’ defenders weren’t angered, and I doubt many fans at home were offended, but since he spun the ball in the direction of an opponent, it was a penalty for taunting.

These two fouls offset. To clarify: The NFL has claimed that it is prioritizing player safety, but it also punishes a dangerous hit with roughly the same seriousness it punishes a dumb celebration that upset nobody.

I actually enjoy player celebrations, and I’m really disturbed by the post-football struggles players deal with after years of brain injuries. I can’t fathom how the NFL doesn’t realize that a penalty for a bad hit should override a penalty for a dumb dance.

The only difference between the penalties: Jackson can commit as many unnecessary roughness fouls as he wants, but if Robinson were to taunt another player, he’d get ejected for his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.