New York Giants star wide receiver Darius Slayton put the NFL in its place due to their failure to consistently enforce the “finger gun celebration” unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
This year, the NFL started to crack down on celebrations where players commit the “finger gun” or other weapons-related gesture celebrations (such as the bow and arrow). The new rule is already creating significant controversy due to the refs’ inability to enforce it properly, much to the chagrin of Darius Slayton and countless NFL fans.
Slayton was issued an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for committing the finger gun gesture after a catch against the Seattle Seahawks in Sunday’s Week 5 game. On one hand, fair. It’s part of the rules.
Darius Slayton was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty on this celebration pic.twitter.com/LyggYUcJOZ
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 6, 2024
But Darius Slayton (rightfully so, by the way) called out the NFL for failing to flag CeeDee Lamb, Patrick Mahomes and JuJu Smith-Schuster for doing the same celebration. Lamb did it in Sunday’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Mahomes and Smith-Schuster committed the gesture on Monday night against the New Orleans Saints:
It’s cool when they do it https://t.co/dOX1kb0Qap
— Darius Slayton (@Young_Slay2) October 8, 2024
A growing army of NFL fans have accused the officials of saving Mahomes and the Chiefs. Judgment calls like pass interference and holding are one thing, but there’s no excuse for the officials missing the clear-as-day fouls against Mahomes and Smith-Schuster.
Darius Slayton hasn’t been hit with a fine…yet. But New York Jets WR Allen Lazard was issued a $14,0069 fine for a finger gun celebration against the Denver Broncos in Week 5, as was Drake London for a similar gesture in the Atlanta Falcons-Philadelphia Eagles Week 2 contest.
Darius Slayton Is Off To A Strong Start For Giants
Slayton has been one of the few positives for the Giants dating back to 2019. He exceeded the 700-yard receiving mark in four of his first five NFL seasons, including a career-high 770 yards last season.
With 18 receptions for 244 yards and a touchdown over his first five games, Slayton is on pace to put together a career year. That’s easier said than done with rising superstar Malik Nabers emerging as the MVP of the Giants offense, but it’s nonetheless exciting for New York fans to finally have a dynamic WR tandem to cheer on.
