NFL to Crack Down on Violent, Lewd Gestures in 2025, Emphasize Sportsmanship

The NFL plans to emphasize sportsmanship and crack down on violent and lewd gestures during the upcoming 2025 regular season.

"Unsportsmanlike gestures like simulating either shooting a gun or brandishing a gun, or inappropriate gestures like a throat slash, or unfortunate sexual gestures, those were up 133 percent so that is a point of emphasis," NFL officiating rules analyst Walt Anderson said Thursday, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "The officials have made it a point of emphasis to the clubs. It's just one of those areas that the league wants to work actively on. There are plenty of ways for players to be able to celebrate, and they come up with some very unique and often entertaining ways, so we want them to focus on those and not the inappropriate areas."

In April, NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent confirmed that officials would focus on limiting violent and sexual celebrations moving forward and the actions would result in a 15-yard penalty.

Gun celebrations from Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London and Kansas City Chiefs wideout Xavier Worthy both resulted in fines last season, while Detroit Lions receiver Jameson Williams was also fined for an "obscene gesture" during the team's divisional-round playoff clash with the Washington Commanders.

Restrictions surrounding celebrations were relaxed by the NFL in 2017, although demonstrations directed at opposing teams and players were still penalized.

Officials will now be keeping a close eye on specific celebrations once the regular season begins on Sept. 4.