For the second time this season, Kansas City Chiefs rookie Xavier Worthy is in trouble with the NFL after mentioning firearms during an on-field celebration.
The former Texas Longhorns wide receiver caught the first touchdown of Wednesday’s Christmas Day doubleheader on Netflix. But after taking a 7-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes to the pylons to give the Chiefs an early 6-0 lead against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he and teammate Hollywood Brown decided to go with the Christmas theme. An elaborate touchdown celebration began.
At first glance, it looked like the recipients were imitating Santa, pantomiming the process of putting presents into the giant sack. Or maybe they were imitating Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. However, once that was done, Worthy lifted his shirt to expose his waistband as if he were an armed robber.
Officials caught the act and penalized the Chiefs 15 yards for the extra point, which resulted in Harrison Butker missing.
A Netflix announcer joked that Worthy pretended to be holding a “Super Soaker” water gun instead of a fictional firearm.
But as Worthy already knows, the league has rules regarding “violent gestures” at celebrations, which no doubt includes references to guns. Worthy was fined $11,255 in September for pointing a finger gun at Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell, and several other NFL stars have received similar penalties this season.
Xavier Worthy receives a 7-yard pass to the pylon from Patrick Mahomes in Pittsburgh.
Xavier Worthy (1) celebrates his touchdown against Hollywood Brown (5) with a pantomime
Xavier Worthy appeared to be referring to a handgun when he pulled the waist of his shirt.
Falcons receiver Drake Rondon regrets holding a gun-themed celebration during a game against the Eagles in September.
After reeling in a 7-yard pass from Kirk Cousins, Rondon pretended to fire a gun into the stands at Lincoln Financial Field. As a result, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was imposed, resulting in a 48-yard extra point for Younghoe Koo.
Speaking to ESPN after returning to the Falcons’ facility, Rondon admitted he “kind of lost himself” in that moment and will likely withdraw from the celebration.
“Right now, it’s a trend in football to have such celebrations,” London said.
“It was my first Monday Night Football game. I lost myself there. I wasn’t happy with where the team was.”
He continued, “There’s a lot of stuff about gun violence in the world, and I don’t think it should have been on display there.” So I’m not very happy with that, and maybe (you are) You’ll never see anything like that from me again. ”
London’s sordid celebration comes after the Falcons hosted high school players from Apalachee High School, where four people were shot and killed earlier this month.
Head coach Raheem Morris said the team was “sensitive” to the issue of gun violence, but admitted London should not have celebrated.
The previous Tuesday, he claimed in a press conference that Rondon was “probably shooting a T-shirt into the stands…because that’s just the kind of guy he is.”
