Husain Abdullah should not have received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty after dropping to his knees and bowing in prayer following a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown during the Kansas City Chiefs’ 41-14 victory over the New England Patriots on Monday night, the NFL said Tuesday.
According to Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (d), “Players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations or demonstrations while on the ground.”“However, the officiating mechanic in this situation is not to flag a player who goes to the ground as part of religious expression, and as a result, there should have been no penalty on the play,” NFL spokesman Michael Signora said.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) had asked for the NFL to clarify it’s policy on the penalty for Muslim prayer:
“To prevent the appearance of a double standard, we urge league officials to clarify the policy on prayer and recognize that the official made a mistake in this case,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
Kansas City’s coach, Andy Reid, defended his player’s action.
Husain Abdullah commented on Twitter, thanking God and his fans:
"Subhana Rabbial-'Ala"
(Glory be to my Lord The Most High) http://t.co/RdKz3UfEjk
— Husain Abdullah (@HAbdullah39) September 30, 2014
I appreciate the overwhelming love and support flowing from all over the world. #Peace
— Husain Abdullah (@HAbdullah39) September 30, 2014
Many people on social media platforms commented on the apparent double standard between Abdullah and Tim Tebow, whose overt Christian displays made news during his run with the Denver Broncos. Jesse Jackson shifted to this topic while preparing for a three-day meeting of his Rainbow/PUSH organization in Atlanta (according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution):
“This kid playing against New England gave a brief and private, dignified prayer and he was penalized for it. Tim Tebow became an icon of prayer in the end zone. Two sets of rules. He became an iconic figure for praying in the end zone. Two sets of rules.”