New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks, aka "The Archer", is somewhat incredulous as to why the NFL is suddenly penalizing players for air shooting a bow and arrow.

I share his sentiment.

Last week, the NFL penalized and fined Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman $10,000 for using mimicking an archer and pretending to shoot a bow and arrow.

Cooks, now in his 3rd year, has performed the archery gesture after big plays since he came into the league, citing it as a sign of his faith in God, based on numerous Bible verses.

Cooks has never been penalized for the gesture.

In fact, last year, the NFL tweeted out a video of Cooks simulating his archer act after a touchdown.


He told The Advocate he plans to somewhat alter his archer gesture so his team won't get penalized.

The NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino claimed by simulating shooting an arrow from a bow, a player is simulating a violent act.

Can someone use a bow and arrow for violence? Yes. Is the bow and arrow typically viewed as a violent weapon? Absolutely not.

When was the last time you attended a town hall meeting about, "Bow and arrow violence in America"?

How many players mimic a boxer, or swing their fist after a big play? Could either gesture loosely resemble violence? Sure. Is either associated with violence? Of course not.

How long before a player signals first down, and NFL officials deem it a violent karate chop?

It may seem ridiculous, but the NFL is often called the "No Fun League" for a reason.

In actuality, the sport of football is far more violent that shooting an arrow from a bow.

Once again, the NFL continues to shoot itself in the foot with absurd decrees.

Oh, I'm sorry. Was that phrase too violent?

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