NFL’s Gun Finger Crackdown Sparks Controversy Among Players

The NFL has been cracking down on players who use their fingers to simulate a gun when celebrating a play, but the league’s approach has been met with skepticism from several notable players. The latest example of this controversy came on Sunday, when New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton was penalized for using the “gun finger” gesture after catching a 41-yard pass against the Seattle Seahawks. However, Slayton was not the only player to use this gesture in recent weeks, and some have questioned why he was singled out for discipline.

According to footage from Sunday’s game, Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster all used the same gesture to celebrate first downs, but were not penalized. The inconsistency has sparked frustration among players, with some arguing that the NFL is unfairly targeting certain individuals. Darius Slayton took to social media to express his displeasure with the league’s decision, posting a statement on X.

His comments come on the heels of a similar controversy involving the NFL’s handling of gun finger penalties. In October, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce mocked the league’s penalties during an interview on the New Heights podcast, calling them “absolutely ridiculous.” Kelce’s comments were sparked by a 15-yard penalty issued to New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard for allegedly using the gun finger gesture. Kelce joked that he hoped the league would punish him for expressing his opinion, and quipped that he had the right to bear arms, referencing the Second Amendment. The league’s handling of these penalties has raised questions about the fairness and consistency of its enforcement policies.