THE NFL has banned a celebration gesture that has been utilized by a Dallas Cowboys star during his career.
Cowboys Pro Bowl wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has performed the controversial act for the past five years.
On Wednesday, the NFL revealed a full rules report to its 32 teams and included an addition to the unsportsmanlike conduct rule.
The NFL added the "nose wipe" celebration to its list of actions that will result in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty.
The gesture has connections to gang culture.
Since he entered the NFL in 2020, Lamb has used the celebration often.
The four-time Pro Bowler reacted to the news on social media.
"smh [shaking my head], i have plenty in mind," Lamb wrote on X.
The NFL has been labeled the "No Fun League" by fans who criticized the league's restrictions on celebrations and trash talk.
Those same NFL fans were in full force to criticize Wednesday's rule change.
"No Fun League strikes again," one wrote.
"NFL weak for that," another commented.
"Can't do a "violent gesture" during a violent game?" a third asked.
"The No Fun League... never fails," a fourth added.
The league also banned throat slashes and pretending to fire or brandish a gun as examples of actions that referees could flag.
The new penalties are the first changes made for the 2025 season.
The NFL's owners will also vote on other potential rules impacting kickoffs, playoff seeding, and more at the annual meeting next week.
The 25-year-old Lamb had performed the "nose wipe" in plenty of his celebratory moments during his NFL career.
He has posted 100 or more receptions in three straight seasons and recorded 1,000 or more receiving yards in four straight campaigns.
Lamb has 38 career touchdowns and will now have to think of other celebration gestures to display to the world on the football field.
