The days of Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield’s “slime me up” celebration are over. ESPN’s Benjamin Solak noted a change in the NFL’s rules that deems the celebration a “violent action” and will result in a 15-yard penalty.
“Any violent gesture, which shall include but not be limited to a throat slash, simulating firing or brandishing a gun, or using the “nose wipe gesture, or an act that is secually suggestive or aggressive,” is how Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(d) reads in the NFL rulebook.
I said slime me up cuz! #WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/524y609KHz
— Cory (@Cory_Hays407) September 8, 2024
Over the years, Mayfield has been involved in one of the more memorable controversial moments, when he planted the Oklahoma Sooners flag in the middle of the Ohio State Buckeyes logo after a 31-16 win in 2017. He has only received one unsportsmanlike penalty in his NFL career for a celebration, when he made a “lewd gesture” as he ran to the sidelines following a touchdown pass and appeared to “expose himself” in a celebration with Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens.
Since then, Mayfield has been somewhat of a journeyman QB around the NFL, spending time with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams before finding his home in Tampa. Mayfield has honed in on his leadership role with the Bucs both on and off the field, so while the NFL may strike again with their “no fun league” mantra, there shouldn’t be any concern from fans about Mayfield costing the team 15 yards so that he can wipe his nose in celebration.
