DAVE ROSS

Ross: You don’t play nice – you pay the price

Sep 13, 2021, 5:27 AM | Updated: 9:47 am

taunting...

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf #14 looks on during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 12, 2021, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

There was plenty of warning. The NFL made it very clear during the off-season that this was coming:

“Game officials have been instructed to strictly enforce the taunting rules and players and coaches are reminded that two taunting penalties committed by an individual player will result in an automatic disqualification. In addition, the taunting player may be fined and/or suspended depending on the severity of the actions.”

And it appears they mean it this time. In that crazy opening game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay center Ryan Jensen got called for taunting even though the taunt was barely noticeable. During the Seahawks game Sunday, DK Metcalf got called. And the college refs got serious too – just as the Huskies managed to stop a Michigan drive in Saturday’s game, UW safety Dom Hampton threw a taunt – and Michigan immediately booked an Uber to the end zone.

This has some fans unhappy. They’re complaining that the NFL is once again the “No Fun League.” But I found Sunday’s Seahawks game to be a LOT of fun, and I am happy to see that at least one institution is pushing back on the “in your face culture” that pretty much surrounds us now.

Everybody wants to get in your face, especially online. It’s not enough to win the argument, you have to wad up that argument and stuff it down your opponent’s throat.

I think it’s because nobody wants to be seen as a snowflake. So when they’re offended, instead of running for a safe space, they’re going to go full Taliban.

This happens on the road all the time. It’s not enough that a driver will tailgate you for miles like he’s trying to get his car to mate with yours, but then when he finally passes you, he’s going to break the sound barrier to teach you a lesson.

All of these people should be penalized. I have an idea: A lot of NFL refs could probably use a side gig on weekdays – how about positioning them every few miles on 405 so they can throw flags for taunting and send cars back to the previous exit.

Problem solved.

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