NFL’s new ban on ‘nose wipe’ celebration, explained

The NFL oftentimes stands for the “No Fun League”, and last season they cracked down hard on celebrations. We all remember our favorite players getting 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalties for pointing forward after getting a first down because it looked like finger guns. Well, the NFL has redefined their rules for unsportsmanlike celebrations and gestures, that include those and much more.

At the owners meetings this week, the NFL rewrites and amends the rules for the upcoming season. One of the most prominent rules being changed is what’s deemed a “violent gesture” during a celebration. We mentioned the finger guns, which gets misidentified when players are literally just pointing for a first down, but we’re going to focus on the latest crackdown on “wiping your nose” as a celebration.

Dallas Cowboys’ WR CeeDee Lamb uses this to celebrate first downs after every reception, and he took to social media to voice his displeasure at the rule.

When asked why it had to go away, NFL EVP of football operations Troy Vincent had this to say:

So, where does this celebration come from and why is it getting banned?

Ok so I’m sure most of you know who rapper Young Thug is. If not, here’s the sparknotes: one of the most popular rappers in the modern game, and was recently facing jail time for gang and drug charges, while also being charged with violating RICO laws in the state (we’ll get back to that later). Thug took a plea deal and walked away without having to go to prison--on the terms that during his first 10 years of probation he stays away from the Atlanta area (except for weddings, funerals, graduations, etc). In addition, he has to do anti-gang, anti-gun violence presentations at schools, which can count towards his 100 hours of community service he has to do each year of his probation.

Young Thug is also known as “King Slime”, the leader of the gang “Young Slime Life”, which is allegedly an affiliate of the Bloods gang. YSL will often say “SLATT”, which means Slime Love All The Time, but will often “wipe their nose” by putting their index finger under their nose and, well, the rest is self-explanatory. When someone affiliated with YSL does it signifies their affiliation with the gang and also could mean taking out your opps (opposition or enemy).

The funniest thing is that players have been doing this since like, 2018. Former Texans’ QB Deshaun Watson would do this after getting a first down and would call his teammates slime. It was only a matter of time before the NFL actually caught on. Imagine having to be the guy that explained YSL to Troy Vincent and Roger Goodell. I do not envy that person.

How the celebration rules get interpreted by refs is going to be interesting to follow this season, because that’s something they’ve failed at.