Chiefs Safety Husain Abdullah's Flag For Unsportsmanlike Conduct After Celebratory Prayer

posted on: Sep 30, 2014

The NFL, certainly no stranger to controversy, could be embroiled in yet another one after Kansas City’s blowout of the New England Patriots on Monday night, and this one involves freedom of religious expression.

The Chiefs’ Husain Abdullah picked off a Tom Brady pass and returned it for a touchdown, sliding to his knees and prostrating in Sajdah – a common Muslim prayer practice – after the score. He was flagged 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct.

After the game, Abdullah, a devout Muslim who skipped last season to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, said that the flag was not for the prayer, but sliding on his knees after the score, according to the Associated Press.

That didn’t stop some from taking to Twitter, noting that athletes pray all the time after scoring. That’s how “Tebowing” became a thing, after all. Other Twitter users noted Brandon Marshall dropping to his knees to pray after scoring on Sunday in Green Bay, flag free.

The Chiefs safety steered clear of the controversy, staying silent on Twitter Monday night and says it is a lesson learned.

“Stop before you drop,” Abdullah told the AP.
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