Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct when he broke out the "finger guns" after a huge catch during Sunday's NFL regular season finale against New Orleans.
It happened with under 10:45 remaining in the fourth quarter as the Saints held a 19-13 lead. The Bucs had 4th and 8 on the Saints 42-yard line. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield took the shotgun snap, dropped back to pass and threw deep down the right side of the field for McMillan, who made the catch and was brought down at the 9-yard line for a 33 yard gain. McMillan got up and pointed his hands towards the end zone with the fingers in both hands pointed like guns, leading the officials to throw the flag on him for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Baker to McMillan CLUTCH on 4th down.
— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
📺: #NOvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/YUqz6XHdt7
Referees in the NFL and college football have been on the lookout for celebrations that promote violence in any way. As a result, some players have found out the hard way that finger guns, or gun celebrations of any kind, are now considered unsportsmanlike conduct. Ironically, McMillan's finger gun display is still featured on the NFL's X feed even though it is considered inappropriate.
As fate would have it, McMillan made up for his penalty moments later when, on a very similar play, Mayfield found him again on a deep ball in the end zone. This time, McMillan made an incredible effort to catch the ball and get the toes of both feet in bounds for what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown.
BAKER DART TO JALEN MCMILLAN FOR THE LEAD 😱
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 5, 2025
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/4nZhupoX1p
Some users on X have noted the irony of the NFL calling penalties on players who wave their fingers as guns while allowing the Buccaneers to fire cannons when their team scores.
In the end, the Bucs beat the Saints 27-19 to finish 10-7 and earn the number 3 seed in the NFC. They will face the Washington Commanders next week in the playoffs.
[@NFL]
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
