NFL Implements Ban on 'Nose Wipe' Celebration, Prompting Player and Fan Backlash

The league's new rule categorizes the gesture as a 'violent act,' resulting in a 15-yard penalty, a decision criticized for stifling player expression.

The NFL has officially banned the 'nose wipe' celebration, along with throat slashes and simulated gun gestures, as part of its updated unsportsmanlike conduct rules.
Players performing the banned gestures will face a 15-yard penalty, with the league citing efforts to maintain a clean and respectful image.
The gesture, popularized by Dallas Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb, has cultural roots in hip-hop and has been controversially linked to gang symbolism.
CeeDee Lamb and other players, including Deebo Samuel and Charles Omenihu, have publicly criticized the ban, expressing frustration over its impact on player individuality.
Fans have widely condemned the decision on social media, arguing it diminishes the entertainment value of the game and reinforces the NFL's 'No Fun League' reputation.