Inside The Vikings

Watch: Justin Jefferson flagged for Griddying at Seahawks' Witherspoon

Jefferson was called for taunting on the play.
Will Ragatz|
Justin Jefferson was flagged for this celebration
Justin Jefferson was flagged for this celebration | NFL on FOX

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Minnesota Vikings

Justin Jefferson has hit his iconic Griddy dance celebration after touchdowns dozens of times in his five-year NFL career. On Sunday, he got penalized for it for the first time.

Jefferson caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold in the second quarter of the Vikings' game against the Seahawks, then broke out the dance while looking directly at Seattle cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who he beat for the score. That drew a 15-yard flag for taunting.

Kevin O'Connell had an incredulous smile on his face on the sideline as he discussed the call with one of the officials, as if to say 'you really called that?' Fortunately for the Vikings, Will Reichard made the long extra point, so the penalty didn't cost them anything.

The distinction seems to be that Jefferson was Griddying in the direction of Witherspoon. Usually, he isn't looking at an opponent while he does it, so there's no taunting call.

The touchdown catch was Jefferson's ninth of the season and his fourth in the last three games.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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