Falcon Star's Penalty For Violent Gesture Reinforces NFL Celebration Stance

Falcons wide receiver Drake London was penalized after catching a touchdown pass in the final minute of Atlanta’s 22-21 victory in Philadelphia on Monday night for pretending to shoot in the air, a violation of a longstanding NFL rule that prohibits violent gestures.

London immediately apologized on the sideline, according to Falcons coach Raheem Morris, and did it publicly on Wednesday.

“There’s a lot of stuff going around in the world with gun violence that I don’t think I should have displayed there,” London told reporters. “So, I’m not too happy with it, and (you) probably won’t see that again from me.”

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The NFL has strict rules for celebrations and players are reminded annually that violations will result in unsportsmanlike penalties.

London’s 7-yard TD catch on a pass from Kirk Cousins tied the score at 21-21.