NFL admits Muslim player should not have been penalized for touchdown prayer

NFL admits Muslim player should not have been penalized for touchdown prayer
(Image credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Kansas City Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah should not have been flagged for praying after scoring a touchdown, the NFL conceded Tuesday. The swift clarification came after critics blasted league officials for penalizing Abdullah, who is Muslim, while ignoring the copious religious celebrations by the league's Christian players. (See Tebow, Tim.)

NFL rules prohibit players from "engaging in any celebrations or demonstrations while on the ground," NFL Vice President of Football Communications Michael Signora explained in a statement to Pro Football Talk. On Monday night, Abdullah dropped to his knees in the end zone after returning an interception for a touchdown.

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Jon Terbush

Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.