Weak Preseason Unsportsmanlike Penalty Has NFL Fans Worried About What’s Coming

The popular 'nose wipe' celebration will now earn players an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Browns defensive end Isaiah McGuire was hit with a controversial unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for his nose wipe celebration, recently banned by the NFL. / via NFL Network

Browns third-year defensive end Isaiah McGuire made a beautiful play during Saturday's preseason finale against the Rams, using a well-executed stunt to dart into the backfield and blow up a Jarquez Hunter run for a loss on third-and-6. As McGuire looks to carve out a bigger role on Cleveland's defense after recording 2.5 sacks a year ago, this was the type of play he'll put on his personal highlight reel.

And then he was hit with an abrupt unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the stop.

McGuire strutted up the field after the big stop, finishing his celebration with the "nose wipe," a move made popular in the league by Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb. The celebration was banned, along with other "violent gestures" by the NFL this offseason.

Of course, a nose wipe—which has been credited to rappers like Young Thug and Future before it made its way into the NFL—is a far cry from a throat slash or shooting gesture. And yet, NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent says that it carries "gang connotations," and is "disrespectful," leading to the ban. Enforcement is a point of emphasis for officials this year.

NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent said about the nose whip celebration being banned: pic.twitter.com/Wi7Ju9UWU0

— Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) April 1, 2025

“It’s just where we are in society. Young men, they come from that era, that age, and they’ve grown up on social media. If anybody was to google ‘nose wipe,’ you’ll see the language that is used and where that’s being affiliated to. I think the players know better. I know they know better."

Cutting down on machine gun celebrations feels pretty reasonable. Penalizing a player 15 yards for a "nose wipe," which, even if there is a "connotation," is hard to argue as violent feels very different. Football fans are worried about what this could mean for the upcoming season, if these kinds of penalties are a real focus of officials.

Sorry Isaiah McGuire, the No Fun League strikes again. #Browns

— Christopher Barker (@CBthePoet) August 23, 2025

Hate agreeing with RG3...but 1 man did the worm and got nothing...the other did this and got flagged https://t.co/uwms0N7RDy

— Matt Thomas (@WATmovies_Matt) August 23, 2025

I can only assume McGuire was shouting horrible obscenities during his dance. Otherwise that’s a not a penalty. #Browns

— Nagy on Sports (Phil) (@NagyOnSports) August 23, 2025

Unsportsmanlike conduct on McGuire was the softest penalty I’ve ever seen. TJ Watt does the same celebration and the NFL uses it for promo shots

— Gooch (@TurboGooch3000) August 23, 2025

Rams defender sacked Flacco, crawled (like McGuire) and threw a fake grenade. No flag of course. https://t.co/GLpMWuPqDD

— Shane Brown (@smbrown26) August 23, 2025

Great play by McGuire and he gets screwed on an unsportsmanlike mannn. Don't know why they are adamant about emphasizing those this year

— CleSportz (@Cle_Sportz) August 23, 2025

A penalty in the preseason probably won't do much to diminish McGuire's strong lead up to Week 1, but fans aren't going to be happy if penalties like this wind up bogging down regular season games in a few weeks.

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