Muslim NFL Player Husain Abdullah Penalised For Praying After Touchdown

Kansas City Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah was penalised after scoring a touchdown off a pick of Tom Brady’s pass in their game versus the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football.

The official NFL rule states that players can not indulge in “excessive celebrations” while on the ground at any moment of the football game. However, Abdullah, a devout Muslim, was actually praying and the penalty drew flak online particularly on social media Twitter.

Abdulla’s agent, CJ LaBoy was one of the people who reacted strongly to the penalty:

If the NFL tries to fine @HAbdullah39 for his TD celebration there's going to be some problems.

— CJ LaBoy (@CJLaBoy) September 30, 2014

Other NFL fans also let their thoughts be heard on Twitter:

Ray Rice punches ladies. Adrian Peterson hits babies. Husain Abdullah receives a 15 yard penalty for dropping to his knees in prayer. NFL'd. — Tony Bader (@thREALtonybader) September 30, 2014

anybody else see @KCChiefs Husain Abdullah get a celebration penalty? praying toward Mecca is a penalty but crosses and kisses to God is OK?

— emily (@The_Blant) September 30, 2014

So Husain Abdullah, a Muslim, got a 15 yard penalty for going to his knees and praying? That's gonna go over well... — Jeremy Smith (@JeremyInKC) September 30, 2014

Here’s the official wording from the NFL rulebook;

“There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct. This applies to any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship. Such acts specifically include, among others; (c) The use of baiting or taunting acts or words that engender ill will between teams; (d) Individual players involved in prolonged or excessive celebrations. Players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations while on the ground. A celebration shall be deemed excessive or prolonged if a player continues to celebrate after a warning from an official; (e) Two-or-more players engage in prolonged, excessive, premeditated, or choreographed celebrations.”

The NFL referees are probably ignorant of the Muslim customs, saw Abdulla’s actions and interpreted it as part of an excessive celebration thus giving the penalty.

Abdullah's touchdown came late in the Chiefs 41-14 win over the visiting Patriots on MNF.

Fortunately, Abdullah was classy enough to not fan the flames of what could turn out to be an ugly and disastrous religious debate. Here’s a tweet from Danny Parkins a sports reporter in Kansas City:

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"

— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) September 30, 2014

The NFL has yet to release an official statement about the incident.