The NFL wants its players to show better sportiness during the celebrations. The executive vice-president of the league football operations, Troy Vincent, explained why the league retracted certain celebrations in 2025, including one popularized by the Dallas cowboys star, Ceedee Lamb.
Vincent said that the “violent gestures” used by players increased by 133% and that “sexual taunts” increased by 52%. He asked players to “be responsible adults” during the celebration of big games in the future.
Plus Troy Vincent on the problems of the sporting spirit: “Listen, we must be responsible adults. We are not trying to withdraw the spontaneous moments. But filming and murder and sexual acts – you are a professional. You did it in high school and ball. ” https://t.co/h4hvghbgke
– Tom Pelissero (@tomplelissero) April 1, 2025
The league moved to ban these celebrations in March. A new change of rule has prohibited players from using a violent gesture, including “a throat bar, simulate the shooting or the branding of a pistol, or the use of the gesture of” towel “, or an act which is sexually suggestive or offensive”. Any player who violates the new policy will receive a penalty of 15 yards.
A celebration that does not fall into the category “violent gestures” or “sexual mockery” is the “nose wipe”. The gesture, made popular by the lamb, was prohibited by the NFL because of its “gang connotations”, confirmed Tuesday Vincent.
Troy Vincent to prohibit the celebrations of “Slipping nose”:
“It has gang connotations. Inspective.”
– Andrew Siciliano (@andrewsiciliano) April 1, 2025
The “nose wipe” is a gang sign associated with Bloods, by professional football conference. It is used to indicate someone who is not trustworthy.
Lamb took the prohibition in the process, saying that he already had new celebrations in mind for next season.
Since entering the League, Lamb has become one of the best football receivers. After a promising recruit season, Lamb was selected at Pro Bowl in four consecutive years. Although it was limited by injuries, the lamb has always captured 101 assists for 1,194 yards and six affected in 15 games in 2024.
