Kansas City Chiefs player Husain Abdullah was penalized for "unsportsmanlike conduct" when he prayed in celebration during Monday night's Chiefs-Patriots game.
The NFL penalized Husain Abdullah for praying, which isn’t okay. http://t.co/Ur5f3Z5zMx
Abdullah kneeled and touched his forehead to the ground in Muslim prayer after scoring the second touchdown of his career.
According to SBNation, the referee flagged him for "unsportsmanlike conduct, going to the ground." According to the NFL rulebook, players are prohibited from engaging in prolonged or excessive celebrations while on the ground.
In 2008, former VP of NFL Officiating, Mike Pereira, said that after a touchdown the only time a player will be allowed to go on his knees is when "you want to praise the Lord."
In this interview, Pereira said:
"The whole issue is, you can't go to the ground on your knees or with your hand or anything. There's only one time that you're going to be allowed to go on your knee after you score like this, and that's when you want to praise the Lord. If you do that, then I'm going to allow that, because I do not want to be struck by lightning, I promise you that. We will allow that."
Abdullah posted this image on Instagram today saying "Subhana Rabbial-'Ala" (Glory be to my Lord The Most High).
Abdullah, who thought he was penalized for sliding into the prayer, said, "I got too excited."
Husain Abdullah was very gracious about the penalty. Says he was praying but thought he was flagged for sliding into it. "I got too excited"
Abdullah said the ref didn't say anything to him and he didn't ask for an explanation because he was pretty sure it was for the slide.
People on Twitter were quick to defend Abdullah while pointing that Christian players are never penalized for praying on the ground.
last night the nfl gave a penalty for muslim prayer, something they never do re: christians http://t.co/1feitKiCxS http://t.co/X8WPWDMqHE
Brandon Marshall raises his hands to Jesus after every TD-No penalty-Husain Abdullah bows to Mecca: 15 yards penalty
"@TimTebow almost had religious services on the football field and no one said a thing." @RevJJackson on #NewsOneNow about @HAbdullah39
Thank you Husain Abdullah for spurring the freedom of religious expression debate in the #NFL
.@nfl gets schooled in Islam & double standards by Husain Abdullah. Just doing the Muslim version of "Tebowing." Not unsportsmanlike conduct
So Tim can "Tebow" but Husain can't be an "Abdullah" (Worshiper of God). Really disappointing double standards, NFL. @HAbdullah39
Thank you, @HAbdullah39 and may God bless you. Continue to pray as hard as you play. We support you! Inspire us.
Michael Signora, NFL Vice President of Communications today admitted that Abdullah should not have been penalized for going to the ground for religious reasons.
Abdullah should not have been penalized. Officiating mechanic is not to flag player who goes to ground for religious reasons.