Call it the influence of hip-hop, call it video games, call it Hollywood. Blame it on whatever part of America’s culture is your favorite pantomime villain. But brandishing violent signs after scoring touchdowns or pulling off sacks is a part of the game one cannot ignore any longer. While the fans enjoy such moments, often pumping up adrenaline, the league has a contrary view. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wants the NFL to have a clean image. He wants to make it viewable for everyone without a single trace of offensive tint. After the meeting of the NFL executive committee, they sent the ‘full rules’ report to the teams.

ESPN analyst Benjamin Solak made the revelation on Wednesday, March 26th. He revealed that violent gestures like a throat slash, brandishing a gun, or using the nose wipe gesture will now attract a penalty of 15 yards. While the gun or throat gestures can be understood, the analyst was of the opinion that the penalty for nose wiping appears to be a bit extreme. “…I mean, c’mon”. The league wants to tone down the celebration.

In the week 5 game against the Ravens in 2024, the Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase was fined $19,697 for celebrating by mimicking a gun. Roger Goodell and others didn’t even spare the greats. During the week 11 game against the Bills, the Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes made a gun gesture. Within a week, he was fined $14,069.

It has been the league’s stance for many years. The NFL Commissioner had clearly said it last year when he said, “It’s a long-standing policy and we are going to enforce that. We don’t think it’s appropriate in those circumstances and sends the wrong messages.” However, the only thing is the newest one, the nose wipe.

That is a way for the NFL players to downgrade their rivals and celebrate their touchdowns. But the league wants to clean up its image while trying to make rules that make the game entertaining. There is another rule change that will send waves of change through the NFL franchises.

Roger Goodell proposes a change in the Touchback rule

There were other rule changes on the table as well. Last year, the league approved the touchback rule from 30 yards. It paid dividends as returns increased and injuries declined. This year, they have now decided to change the touchback to 35 yards. That’s a change that will see coaches evolve their tactics and game plans for sure.

Roger Goodell and other executives changed the rule after getting positive results last year. In 2024, there were 59 returns of at least 40 yards, the maximum since 2016, and 7 return touchdowns. The concussion rate also fell down 43% from the previous 3 years. That’s a promising sign.

Roger Goodell’s co-worker, NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay, cleared the air on the rule change and said, “We think that’s a lot of motivation for people to kick the ball in play and get returns back in the game.” With new changes in the play, can we expect higher scoring games? Or will kicking units just allow fewer touchbacks to occur? In either case, it sounds like a win-win situation!