The NFL apparently took time out of its schedule of investigating under-inflated footballs to issue a warning to the Seattle Seahawks for “obscene” gestures the team has made on the field during the playoffs.
NFL Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino, who has been under a ton of scrutiny all season long, told ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio that officials will be on the look-out for obscene gestures during the Super Bowl and won’t hesitate to call Seattle for 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalties should it come to that (h/t Pro Football Talk).
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was fined $20,000 for grabbing his crotch during the NFC Championship game last weekend. Meanwhile, reserve wide receiver Chris Matthews was fined over $11,000 for the same gesture.
Lynch, who has never held back from criticizing the league, took to Twitter this week to question the league’s logic in fining Matthews.
I feel embarrassed to work for a particular organization that fined a teammate of mine for shaking my hand after a touchdown
— Marshawn Lynch (@MoneyLynch) January 23, 2015
Despite Lynch’s feelings on this topic, he’s likely going to have to refrain from similar gestures next Sunday in Arizona. If not, it will negatively impact his team on the field against the New England Patriots.