Raiders’ Darren Waller referred to as for horrible taunting penalty after spiking ball in ‘Monday Night time Soccer’ sport

Probably the most controversial rule of the 2021 NFL season, taunting, as soon as once more reared its ugly head through the “Monday Night time Soccer” matchup between the Chargers and Raiders.

This time, Las Vegas tight finish Darren Waller was referred to as for it. His crime? Spiking the ball after his 21-yard reception from Derek Carr earned his group’s first first down of the sport — on the group’s fifth offensive possession.

MORE: NFL taunting rules, explained: Why penalties will be called more often during 2021 season

There’s simply no place in as we speak’s sport for that kind of habits. Apparently. The penalty negated a lot of the yardage gained on the play, transferring the Raiders from their 41 again to their 26 — a web achieve of 6 yards. The Raiders in the end punted. Las Vegas went on to lose 28-14.

The rule has been closely criticized by gamers — together with Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady — and followers; the difficulty got here to a head in Week 2, with a number of questionable calls through the slate making headlines. Bears security Tashaun Gipson was one of many first to be referred to as for taunting, prompting him to say after the sport, “You don’t know if you can be happy.”

Regardless of the widespread dislike of the rule, Giants proprietor John Mara mentioned the rule received plenty of support from coaches and homeowners.

MORE: Mara explains support, implementation of NFL’s new taunting rule focus

“That is one thing we talk about yearly within the competitors committee, we get sort of sick and bored with the speaking that does go on infrequently on the sector. We attempt to stability the sportsmanship with permitting the gamers to have enjoyable. There’s all the time a advantageous line. None of us prefer to see that,” Mara mentioned.

“It is only a query of whether or not you may have guidelines that may be enforced with out taking the enjoyable out of the sport, too. No person desires to see a participant taunting one other participant. I do know I actually do not. I do know the remainder of the members of the competitors committee really feel the identical, too,” he added.

MORE: Colts’ LeMay flagged for taunting because he . . . got too excited about his cool run?

Unsurprisingly, Mara’s rationalization of the controversial rule has achieved little to placate those that dislike it. Such was the case on Monday: