Week 12 WTF Moments in the NFL
Well, after too much turkey and stuffing, and a long 10 days of football (but who’s complaining? not I) we have had more than our share of WTF moments this week. Even as I begin to write this column, I had to add one more that came in today, that was just too ridiculous not to include.
Touchdown Celebrations
So we all know Steelers WR Antonio Brown is arguably the best receiver in the NFL, or on the planet (in my opinion).
He may be the best player on the team: AB is currently tied for 1st place in the league with 10 TDs, and is in the top 3 in receptions and yards.
Brown loves to have fun, and we as fans love to watch him having fun, but he has taken it to a new level this season: twerking, thrusting, and now apparent choreographed (more that one teammate celebrating) celebrations. These are getting flagged regularly for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, which penalize the team 15 yards. This is putting added pressure on Pittsburgh’s special teams when that yardage is added on for their next series.
So first, WTF? to the NFL for continuing to make this the “No Fun League”
Second, WTF for “selectively” picking on AB during prime-time game celebrations (Ben’s comments on his radio show this week).
Then another WTF to AB.
WTF AB?
We love you buddy, but the refs, coaches, Big Ben, and now the fans have spoken.
REEL IT IN!
We need to win-out for us to have a playoff shot, and helping the other team with these penalties is not being a team player.
Suggested way to reel it in: not a good suggestion
My favorite Tweet about this came today, and was too good not to include in the Weekly WTF:
@colin_dunlap dont throw AB the ball. That will send a message. Thats how Ben stops the selfishness
— BillyD (@billy_D78) November 30, 2016
“Don’t throw AB the ball. That will send a message.”
Really?
WTF?
This is worse than a penalty. Let the Giants, Ravens, Bengals, even the Browns, know that Ben won’t throw the ball to Brown, and yeah, I’m sure that will help the team.
Since AB didn’t celebrate on the last two of his career three-touchdown day, we can assume the message was sent, and received.
#FlyEaglesFly
#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/cJzOJKSuo9
— NFL (@NFL) November 29, 2016
But don’t #FlyFlagFly on this “choreographed play… in prime-time.
WTF?!
(Nuff said!)
Twitter Wars
As much as I love Twitter, the teams have to hate it when players get into the war of words against each other
. We had a few instances of this happening this week.
First, Redskins CB Josh Norman and Dallas WR Dez Bryant called each other out for their skills at their position, and that spilled onto the field postgame:
Dez Bryant calls out Josh Norman following Dallas' win. pic.twitter.com/4zXrV8huBv
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 25, 2016
I'm not disrespectful to players in league ..I love this game but Norman takes it past football.. if you going spit fire be able to take it
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) November 25, 2016
Josh Norman and Dez still fighting at the end of the game LMFAOOOOO https://t.co/yUcVFCWs5W
— . (@H00PINATI) November 25, 2016
Dez had plenty more to say about Josh Norman. Here's some of it: pic.twitter.com/luISi90YYj
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) November 25, 2016
Then a Browns punter messing with Indy punter Pat McAfee, and the list goes on. Sometimes, it almost looks league intentionally lights a match under these players to get them going (yeah I am over the sweet jersey trading thing) but can the players just show some respect to each other?
WTF?
Play nice in the sandbox guys. It’s supposed to be a “brotherhood” isn’t that what you have been saying?
Punters are people too
Next on the list, a Browns punter celebrates for… a penalty? WTF?!
Just happened:
– Odell returns punt for TD & does multiple LeBron celebrations
– TD called back
– Browns punter points to heavens for flag pic.twitter.com/KuRRGrFNv1— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 27, 2016
Speaking of the Colts punter Pat McAfee (who is seriously a character by they way) look up some of his comedy show efforts on YouTube. It is better than his football field antics.
Okay, the WTF here? McAfee faked a punt to pass a ball down field for a 20+ yard catch versus the Steelers.
Our special teams unit was asleep on that play, but his “Connor McGregor” walk after was hilarious.
Kickers it’s your turn!
Let’s talk about the KC-Denver game, and the OT that almost ended in a tie!
No not again…
First, Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak decides to allow his kicker, Matt Prater, to attempt a 62-yard field goal.
Seriously. 62-yards.
Gary Kubiak on attempting a 62-yarder in OT: “We’re going to try to win around here. I made that decision & it just didn't work out.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2016
WTF?
Then the Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos, luckily, was able to hit the left upright perfectly in the last 4 seconds of OT, to bank it in for the win.
https://twitter.com/taylorbottles/status/803673891541372929
WTF? These near-tie games are getting ridiculous.
The “Mystery” Tent
Did anyone else notice the big tent on the sidelines on Monday Night Football?
https://twitter.com/drewmagary/status/803439410670960641
The tent is used for a bathroom breaks and privacy when you need trainers to wrap/check on injury. #GBvsPHI https://t.co/5SnfSr7rNS
— AJ Hawk (@OfficialAJHawk) November 29, 2016
Well that sure is better than the WTF moment of the Redskins coach peeing into a cup in public view earlier this season!
Confessions Part RG3
(Yes, that’s a play on Usher’s “confessions” part 1… and 2.)
This isn’t really an on-the-field WTF, but someone thought it was a good idea to troll Browns QB Robert Griffin III with a fake Twitter account impersonating RG3’s ex-wife.
RG3 is PISSED at fake ex-wife Twitter account, says you messed with 'wrong one' https://t.co/EoV6Q8hqkK pic.twitter.com/dP5TmQX9Ld
— Busted Coverage (@bustedcoverage) November 30, 2016
“Hitting up girls on Instagram.”
LOL WTF?
Well he has been a bit bored recovering from yet another injury… so cut him some slack “Rebecca”!
(The fake account is now closed.)
Mistaken Identity
Lastly, and this one pains me, ESPN erroneously reported that former Steelers CB Will Allen was involved in a racketeering money laundering scam, targeting NFL players.
However, it wasn’t the Will Allen who played for Pittsburgh at fault, but ESPN used his photo!
'That's what hurts the most — to question my character.' Ex-Steeler Will Allen tormented by mistaken identity https://t.co/Vgjnt3PDCz
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 30, 2016
It was a different Will Allen, and ESPN had to retract putting the wrong photo with article.
WTF ESPN?
And they weren’t the only outlet to use the wrong image!
Talk about potentially single-handedly almost ruining a guys life, and his own charitable foundation cause. This is inexcusable, and we hope he takes legal action for libel (if to only recoup some of the costs of handling the PR nightmare, including attorney’s fees for cease-and-desist letters).
If you are out there as a “credible” source for news and information, act like it!
Or get off the stage.
Until next week.
WTF…