Le’Veon Bell has the Steelers in good shape against Kansas City after accumulating 74 rushing yards and a touchdown through the opening minutes of the second quarter. He ended Pittsburgh’s first touchdown on a sour note, however, after referees deemed his use of the goalpost as a punching bag to be a bridge too far and flagged him for 15 yards.
Le’Veon Bell got a celebration penalty for boxing up the goalpost
Ken Norton Jr. could do it, but Le’Veon can’t.
The boxing routine also cost the Steelers running back a $12,154 fine, according to Pro Football Talk.
Bell’s celebration -- literally the same move linebacker Ken Norton Jr. used to pull out in the ‘90s — was flagged, presumably, because he used the goalpost as a prop. It’s possible the NFL deems this “violent imagery,” which is also banned.
The penalty forced the Steelers’ ensuing kickoff back 15 yards, but it didn’t wind up hurting Pittsburgh. The Chiefs went three-and-out on the following drive.
What it means for Le’Veon Bell: Bell, surprisingly, is the first Steeler to draw an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for a touchdown celebration. Pittsburgh will likely take a loss of field position in exchange for Bell’s productive day in Kansas City -- he’s in line for his best performance of 2017.
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