Muslim Player's Prayerful Gesture of Thanks Punished by NFL

Capricious discrimination can be found even on an American football field these days, apparently.

A Muslim football player was penalized Monday night for offering a quick prayerful gesture of thanks after scoring a touchdown for his team in Kansas City.

NFL defensive back Husain Abdullah, who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs, had intercepted a pass thrown by Tom Brady of New England, and returned it to the end zone for a touchdown, bringing his team to victory.

Right after scoring, Abdullah kneeled briefly and touched his head to the turf in a manner that imitated Muslim worship.

Referees who were officiating at the game punished the player with a 15-yard penalty for the move, calling it “unsportsmanlike conduct.”