NFL taunting penalty, explained: What to know about new rule and its meaning in football

Teddy Ricketson

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NFL taunting penalty, explained: What to know about new rule and its meaning in football image

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The NFL receives considerable criticism for its rulebook and the way the league compensates referees for officiating games. It has been a point of contention for years, with many fans clamoring for loopholes to be used when plays are especially cool and highlight-worthy.

While that criticism is largely in jest, there have been numerous instances where fans have been convinced that the NFL referees, by calling a game a certain way or making a call in a big spot that appeared borderline at best, had completely compromised the integrity of the game and changed the outcome. 

The league has a thankless job. They want to put the best product on the field, while respecting the rules of the game and its fans. One of the most argued-about penalties has been taunting. The purpose, in the league's mind, is not to teach its young viewers that it is okay to taunt your opponent. But middle-aged viewers believe that taunting is part of the sport. Football is a constant game of 1-on-1 battles, and if one player wins, they should be able to taunt the loser of that battle. 

The NFL disagrees. The league has cracked down on taunting in recent years, with the 2025 changes being perhaps the most notable. The NFL sent out memos to its officials that they were going to be trained on cracking down on unsportsmanlike conduct, with a particular attention to taunting. 

The concern from fans is that this will result in some ticky-tack taunting calls that shouldn't be made, and it takes the players' personalities out of the game.

Here is more on the NFL's taunting penalty and how it compares to college football.

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What is taunting in football?

Taunting is a type of unsportsmanlike conduct in the NFL rulebook. It is covered under Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 which talks about prohibited acts in the sport. The NFL says that players can be flagged for "using baiting or taunting acts or words that may engender ill will between teams."

Taunting can be called for a gesture or for something said from one player to another. 

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Taunting definition

The NFL defines taunting as any act "that could incite ill will or confrontation." So, that essentially includes anything a player could do that would cause another player to want to retaliate. In Smith's example above, he slightly flexed while staring at running back Miles Sanders, so the refs threw the flag."

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New taunting rule 2025

There isn't a completely brand-new taunting rule for 2025. Instead, league officials said that they wanted to crack down on taunting and make it a significant point of emphasis for referees in the 2025 season. The NFL wanted to elevate sportsmanship, and wants to be harsher on unsportsmanlike conduct, including taunting and gestures players make. 

Usually, when the league changes a rule, the calls go a little overboard, and it started as early as Week 1 of the 2025 season when Nolan Smith was flagged for about the softest taunting call you've likely ever seen.

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Banned gestures

Gestures banned by the taunting rule include, but are not limited to: 

  • Throat slash
  • Simulating firing or brandishing a gun
  • Nose wipe gestures
  • Sexually suggestive gestures

The main new addition for taunting is that the NFL has said that it includes specific celebrations. As clarified in Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, this includes, "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."

Points of emphasis

The NFL released a statement to teams ahead of the 2025 season that enforcing the taunting rule would be a point of emphasis for the year in an effort to crack down on unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, with a particular attention to taunting and gestures. 

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Taunting penalty

If a player is believed to have violated the taunting or gesture rules, they will be charged with a 15-yard penalty. After the rule changes were implemented after the 2015 altercation between Odell Beckham Jr. and Josh Norman, players can only incur two unsportsmanlike penalties in a game before being ejected. Taunting counts as unsportsmanlike conduct, so two taunting penalties would lead to an ejection. 

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Why is taunting a penalty in the NFL?

Taunting is a penalty in the NFL because the league has observed that these acts can escalate emotions in the game, potentially leading to fights. Usually, when one player taunts another, it leads to retaliation, so the league wants to intervene and prevent it before it can happen. 

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NFL taunting fines

The first offense of a player taunting and getting flagged for it will earn them an $11,593 fine, per the NFL's website. Their second offense will see the fine increased to $17,389. The NFL doesn't have a set fine if it happens more than twice. 

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Key differences between NFL and NCAA football taunting

The NFL and NCAA both play football, but they tend to have unique differences that distinguish the products slightly. When it comes to taunting, it is still a 15-yard penalty for college, like it is in the NFL, but with some differences. If the taunting call occurred on a scoring play before the player crossed the goal line, it has the potential to negate a touchdown. This can only happen in college football and not the NFL. If that were the case in the NFL, it would result in a 15-yard penalty for the extra point attempt or the ensuing kickoff.

Also, the NCAA won't fine players, and it would have to be an extreme situation for it to result in an ejection. In the NFL, players will automatically be assessed a fine depending on the level of infraction. If they accumulate two taunting penalties in the same game, the player will be ejected in the NFL. 

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Memorable NFL taunting calls

Tyreek Hill

When Tyreek Hill entered the league, everyone was stunned by his speed. Whenever he would burn a defender, the wide receiver would often put up a peace sign to the defender when he was running away from them. The league made this gesture illegal and called it taunting. Hill responded buy designing his gloves to where if he just opens his palm like he is going for a stiff arm, they were colored in a way that made it look like he was still giving the peace sign. 

Antoine Winfield Jr. 

When a player is known for a gesture, it will often be thrown back in their face. Winfield was matched up against Hill in the Super Bowl in 2021, and he flashed the signature peace sign at the Chiefs WR. The Buccaneers won the game, but Winfield was flagged for taunting. 

Cassius Marsh

Marsh taunted the Steelers' sideline after sacking Ben Roethlisberger in 2021. He was flagged and the drive continued for the Steelers and they went from a likely punt to a made field goal. It was notable because Marsh just stared at the Steelers bench, but then bumped into a rotating ref and was flagged. 

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NFL taunting rule history

Here is a look at the history of the taunting call in the NFL. 

  • 1984: The NFL's Competition Committee voted to ban taunting, trying to cut down on the sack dances done be defenders at that time. 
  • 1993: It took nine years, but for the 1993 season, taunting officially hit the rule book. It was the first time that taunting was outlined. 
  • 2021: The taunting penalty stood for nearly 30 years, and it wasn't ever brought up except for egregious acts. In 2021, the NFL first started its war on taunting. The league wanted to make it a point of emphasis, and then 61 flags were thrown for taunting that season. 
  • 2025: The taunting rule expands to include gestures. The NFL once again sends out a memo to teams that officials will be cracking down on taunting. 

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NFL taunting rule FAQs

What qualifies as taunting in the NFL?

It is really up to the interpretation of the officials, which is one problem that fans have with the rule. Per the NFL, the definition is written loosely as anything that can "incite ill will or confrontation." This could be a specific gesture, like a flex or a peace sign, or something that a player says to another that an official hears and deems too far. 

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Can a touchdown be called back for taunting?

In the NFL, no. A taunt during or after a scoring play cannot negate the score, and it will be assessed on the extra point or kickoff. This is different than college, where a taunt at that level can negate a score. 

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Can NFL players taunt fans?

Can they? Yes. Will they get flagged? It probably depends on what they do. We have seen players score and then wave goodbye to the opposing fans in attendance, and that likely still won't get flagged even with the league's crackdown. If a player makes a rude gesture to fans or says something they shouldn't to fans, they will likely get fined. 

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What is the difference between taunting and excessive celebration?

Intent. Excessive celebration calls usually come into question after scores or turnovers. Teams are known for coming up with wild celebrations that go viral on social media. If the celebration takes too long, though, it will be labeled as excessive. Also, if players on the bench leave the area to join the celebration, that will also get flagged. 

The intent of a taunting penalty is defined as ill will, or something that a player says to another that could incite rage or retaliation. If a team scores, and some players do a fake sack race in the endzone, that wouldn't be taunting, but could go on for too long and be excessive celebration. If a player lays the boom on another player and stands over him talking trash, that is more taunting and it is excessive celebration.

Teddy Ricketson

Teddy Ricketson is a Digital Content Producer at The Sporting News. He joined the team in 2024 after spending the last three years writing for Vox Media as part of its DK Nation/Network team. Teddy does his best to support the South Carolina Gamecocks and Carolina Panthers, but tends to have more fun cheering on the Atlanta Braves. In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife, Brooke, and their two dogs, Bo and Hootie.