Joe Burrow wants NFL to abolish one penalty

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals' Joe Burrow would like to see the NFL do away with this one penalty

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 4/13/24

It’s rare to see a quarterback in the NFL want to do away with a rule that can lead to a 15-yard penalty against opposing defenses, but that’s not the case with Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow and one specific play that gets under his skin.

During a live record of the “New Heights” podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce in Cincinnati on Thursday, Burrow admitted that he’d like to see the NFL abolish the taunting penalty, according to WLWT’s Olivia Ray.

“Yeah, I'm pro taunting,” Burrow said. “We're all grown adults that work really hard at what we do. And sometimes we'd like to show it. I'm not going to get my feelings hurt if somebody sacks me and taunts me like you made a play. I get it. Like good for you.”

Burrow’s disdain for taunting flags is well-known, especially after he voiced his opinion during the Kansas City Chiefs' 17-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game in January.

Let the guys taunt.
— Joey Burrow (@JoeyB) January 28, 2024

Per the NFL rulebook, taunting is defined as “the use of baiting or taunting acts or words that engender ill will between teams.”

If the defense is called for taunting, in addition to a 15-yard penalty, it also results in an automatic first down. Players can also be fined up to $10,300 for first offenses and up to $15,450 for second offenses, though all fines can be appealed.

There were a total of 15 taunting penalties for 225 yards during the 2023 season, per NFLpenalties.com, down from 19 the previous season and an NFL-record 43 during the 2021 season.

The position most heavily penalized last season was wide receiver (eight), followed by defensive back (five), linebacker (one) and quarterback (one). Buffalo and Las Vegas were the only teams penalized for taunting multiple times.

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