Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

NFL bans controversial gesture

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Mar 26, 2025 11:07 PM ET

Say goodbye to the nose wipe gesture in the NFL.

The NFL sent a report to teams this week highlighting new rules or changes for the 2025 season. In the section regarding rules for unsportsmanlike conduct infractions, the “nose wipe” gesture has been listed as a prohibited act.

The issue comes up under Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(d). Section 3 concerns unsportsmanlike conduct, and Article 1 discusses prohibited acts. “There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct. This applies to any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship. Such acts specifically include, among others:

(d) Any violent gesture, which shall include but not be limited to a throat slash, simulating firing or brandishing a gun, or using the “nose wipe” gesture, or an act that is sexually suggestive or offensive.

According to the full rules report sent to NFL teams this week, the “nose wipe” celebration is now a 15 yard penalty for being a “violent gesture”

Which, I mean, c’mon. pic.twitter.com/JJ0EEgxpQr
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 26, 2025

Here is a look at the nose wipe celebration in action, as performed by CeeDee Lamb:

SOMEONE think of the CHILDREN pic.twitter.com/ouaJwwyby7
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 26, 2025

Lamb is not happy about the nose wipe celebration now being considered a banned move.

“smh, i have plenty in mind,” Lamb wrote on X in response to the decision. “SMH” is an acronym for “shaking my head.”

smh, i have plenty in mind. https://t.co/rn0OliWbb4
— CeeDee Lamb (@_CeeDeeThree) March 26, 2025

What’s the problem with the nose wipe celebration? It may seem innocent on the surface, but it has gang undertones, which is why the NFL wants to eliminate it.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: